Splendiferous

Blog Hop Party & Giveaway

2011-12-08T21:23:00.003-06:00

And the winner is....#28 Gwen!
Quilting Bloggers is having a blog hop with giveaways! I will give a set of 5 quilt note cards to one lucky winner! To enter: Read the next post about missing quilts. Leave a comment on this post with the title of one of the missing quilts (and please, keep an eye out for them. Sarah and I miss our babies!). I will draw a random name and email you for your mailing address, so please leave enough information for me to contact you. One entry per person. Entries not containing a title of a missing quilt will be disqualified.

Set of 5 cat quilt note cards featuring two of my cat quilts and some closeups of the cats!
From left: Top Row: Oslo, Moose, Boris.
Bottom Row: Cornered! full quilt, Boris & Natasha, the Yin-Yang Kittens full quilt.
Based on photographs by the artist.

Missing Quilts! Have you seen them?

2011-12-08T20:59:00.000-06:00

Missing! Two of my quilts and two belonging to Sarah Ann Smith of Maine. They were apparently lost in a shipping mishap in Lomita, California on 11 October, 2011.
These quilts were part of a special exhibit, "Then and Now," at Mancuso shows in New Hampshire (World Quilt Competition) and California (Pacific International Quilt Festival, PIQF, Santa Clara), from which they were returned. The quilts were supposed to be mailed from the Office Depot in Lomita, but vanished without a trace.
Sarah Ann Smith's blog with more information:
http://www.sarahannsmith.com/weblog/?p=6521

Lost Quilt page with my information:
http://lostquilt.com/index.php/2011/status/missing/shady-lady-and-economy/

Shady Lady by Wendy L. Starn of LA. 26 3/4 x 27 3/4 inches. Included in Lark Books' 500 Art Quilts.

Economy by Wendy L. Starn. 19 1/4 x 19 1/2 inches.

Sarah's page on the Lost Quilt website:
http://lostquilt.com/index.php/2011/status/missing/fields-of-gold-dogwood-dawn/

Fields of Gold by Sarah Ann Smith. Size: 18 x 20 1/2 inches. 2nd place winner in Houston 2009, featured in Award Winning Quilts 2011 calendar.

Dogwood::Dawn by Sarah Ann Smith. 33 x 27 inches. Previously on sale at Ducktrap Bay Trading Company in Camden, ME.

Autumn's End

2011-12-08T20:33:00.000-06:00

It's almost winter. Photos taken on Nov 8, about a month ago.

See My Work at the World's Largest Quilt Show!

2011-10-19T16:13:00.000-05:00

These 2 photos are part of the 2011 "Eye of the Quilter" exhibit at the International Quilt Market & Festival in Houston, Oct 29- Nov 6, 2011. Both photos are full-frame, unedited compositions. Much as I love to go places and take photos, both of these were taken in my own back yard!

New Work

2011-06-28T23:31:00.000-05:00

Earth, Air, Water, Fire Cast Mixed Fiber. Each section 9" x 10" x about 3" deep. Hard to photograph, but these are all life-size human faces.

Work to appear in "A Gathering of Untold Stories" at Rural Life Museum, Baton Rouge, La in July. Artist reception: July 9.

Earth, Air, Water, Fire

Earth

Air

Water

Fire

Louisiana State Arboretum

2011-06-09T21:55:00.000-05:00

The bald cypress tree

Etched glass clerestory windows

exhibit panels held up by cypress knees

backlit side of a display case

textured leaves in cast metal

native plants in etched glass

At the Arboretum

2011-06-02T22:58:00.001-05:00

"A Walk in the Swamp" fiber show, through June 29.

All photos taken Tuesday, May 31.

It's Home!

2011-06-02T14:49:00.000-05:00

Maple Leaf Rag went to quilt shows in Houston, Chicago & Long Beach, and has finally returned home today!

Azalea Extravaganza Part 2

2011-03-24T10:41:00.000-05:00

Q. What happens when an artist with a craving for color plants flowering shrubs?

A. Color Studies

Alexandria Annual Azalea Extravaganza

2011-03-17T21:40:00.000-05:00

The banana tree is leafing out.

Oslo loves the weather.

Wisteria

Soon this will be solid color.

A Walk in the Swamp Artists' Reception

2011-01-23T20:23:00.004-06:00

If you will be in the Baton Rouge area on Sunday, January 30, you are cordially invited to the artists' reception for A Walk in the Swamp at Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center.
FREE and open to the public. Preview all 25 fiber art pieces and see detail shots here: http://cfalart.blogspot.com/

Local news coverage: http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=13886238

A Walk in the Swamp

2011-01-18T23:01:00.000-06:00

My piece, Acer Rubrum, and details. Photos courtesy of John Hartgerink. See all 25 pieces in the show here: http://cfalart.blogspot.com/2011/01/walk-in-swamp-2011_15.html

Sneak Peek "A Walk in the Swamp"

2011-01-03T20:35:00.002-06:00

Acer Rubrum. finished piece 18" by 6 feet. Part of the exhibit A Walk Through the Swamp, curated by Michael Young. All pieces are 14-18" wide and 6-7 feet tall, two-sided, and hung from branches suspended from the ceiling, so visitors are walking through a magical fiber swamp.
January 10 - February 6, 2011: A Walk Through the Swamp show at Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, Baton Rouge
February 9 - April 26, 2011: A Walk Through the Swamp show at Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, Thibodaux, LA
June, 2011: A Walk Through the Swamp show at Louisiana State Arboretum, Ville Platte, LA

Shaver Theater

2010-12-20T13:17:00.000-06:00

An ode to music in architectural form, recently restored to Art Deco glory. Located on the LSU campus, site of the Music and Dramatic Arts Commencement ceremony.

Ceiling in front of the stage

Purple spotlights shone on the stage.

Musical motifs on the walls.

Blue Ribbon!

2010-11-10T19:56:00.000-06:00

I picked up my items that traveled to the Louisiana State Fair today, and was pleased and surprised to find a blue ribbon on this one for Machine Applique'!

Bloggers' Quilt Festival

2010-10-29T19:02:00.003-05:00

Sky, 2009, and detail

I went around the Alexandria downtown area one Sunday afternoon and took many photographs. There’s no shortage of urban decay here. Although Alexandria was burned to the ground during the Civil War, there are still a few buildings from the era of Reconstruction, as well as many built later and abandoned. This particular building appeared to still be in use as I could see lights on inside. I went back a few weeks later to take some more photos and could not find it.

One of the original photos

Bloggers' Quilt Festival

HOUSTON!

2010-10-22T11:54:00.000-05:00

Wow, I actually have 2 things in the IQA show this year!

Shady Lady, in the "500 Art Quilts" exhibit

To Hold the Sun in the "Eye of the Quilter" exhibit.

I hope I can get there!

Dyeing with an E and a few helpers

2010-09-30T17:29:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I dyed fabric. Rocky was the helper of the day, and was most eager to investigate. Here's the evidence, all the way across the deck.

All bundled up this morning

Today's helper: Oslo, who loves running water and would rather lick the drips from the sprinkler than drink from the water bowl.

I tied several scarves to overdye

Others were direct dyed.

Really impressed with the results

While I was rinsing fabric, This butterfly found the perfect complement to its color.

Boris would rather smell the flowers.

Moose looking winsome, but not interested.

Yesterday's culprit naps through today's fun.

Full Moon

2010-09-24T17:34:00.000-05:00

September 23, 2010

Breaking Traditions 2010

2010-09-23T13:34:00.003-05:00

Opens today at The American Sewing Expo, Novi, Michigan

Everybody's Talking at Me and detail

Failure to Communicate and detail

Opens today at The American Sewing Expo, Novi, Michigan. Both pieces are 12 x 12 inches. Theme was Autism:In My Own Words

Breaking Traditions at 212 Arts Center

2010-09-08T09:52:00.000-05:00

My piece, Boris and Natasha, the Yin-Yang Kittens (upper right-hand corner) is on the show flyer.

Economy

2010-08-31T18:30:00.003-05:00

Not the best photo. Based on traditional Economy quilt block. This does meet the traditional definition of a quilt being 3 layers held together with stitching, although the top layer is tulle and the middle layer is, yup, bandaids. On exhibit through Sept. 30 at Denham Springs, La. Library.
See the whole show on the cfal blog

Katrina + 5

2010-08-29T09:16:00.002-05:00

Click here for more information on quilt.

The Black Mask

2010-08-28T16:52:00.000-05:00

Handknitted of cotton yarn, starched. On display at Denham Springs, LA Library through Sept. 30.

Wire Mask

2010-08-27T21:41:00.000-05:00

knitted for Contemporary Fiber Artists of Louisiana mask challenge. On Display at Denham Springs, La library through Sept. 30, 2010.

Sneak Peek #7

2010-08-13T13:44:00.001-05:00

Part of an exhibit by Contemporary Fiber Artists of Louisiana to be held at the Livingston Parish Library, Denham Springs, beginning Sept. 1. The sneak peek masks will also be in the show.

It's Friday the 13th

2010-08-13T11:39:00.001-05:00

So here's a baby picture of Boris from the winter of 2000, when he was about 7 weeks old. He's bigger now :-)

Slice Quilt # 2 Midnight

2010-08-11T10:15:00.000-05:00

18 x 24

Slice Quilt # 1 Under the Sea

2010-08-10T20:58:00.001-05:00

18 x 24

Sneak Peek #6

2010-08-06T10:59:00.001-05:00

detail from a second slice quilt

Sneak Peek #5

2010-08-05T11:33:00.000-05:00

Made for local guild challenge-slice quilt

Sneak Peek #4

2010-08-04T09:15:00.000-05:00

Detail of second mask for challenge below.

Sneak Peek #3

2010-08-03T20:44:00.000-05:00

Made for a mask challenge with Contemporary Fiber Artists of Louisiana. Show opens Sept. 1 at Denham Springs, LA Library.

Sneak Peek #2

2010-07-31T10:40:00.001-05:00

This is not the same piece, but will also be going to Breaking Traditions.

Sneak Peek

2010-07-29T21:15:00.001-05:00

Detail of Breaking Traditions 2010 piece. The exhibit will debut at the American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan this fall.

Artin' in the Garden

2010-07-23T17:16:00.000-05:00

It rained a bit here...

2010-07-15T12:01:00.001-05:00

...and the mushrooms sprung up like, well, mushrooms. Pictures taken over 3 days. They start out like balls on a stick, open up and start to decay. Next rain will undoubtedly produce a bumper crop.

Hangin' out in the Garden

2010-06-21T10:25:00.000-05:00

QuiltArt Quinceañera

2010-06-15T20:48:00.000-05:00

LEAF PARTY!

15" x 15"
Techniques/Methods
Handpainted fabric using Setacolor paints. Leaf Printed with Lumiere paint. Machine quilted.

Statement
I selected leaves from 15 different plants that grow locally (not all of them native), and sunprinted them using a background of 15 colors of Setacolor paint, and lots of kosher salt. I also overprinted about 15 leaves with metallic copper Lumiere paint, and machine quilted with rainbow cotton thread. The leaves look to me like they are having a celebration, including lots of confetti (made with the salt effect) and many bright colors. I have gotten much more interested in surface design and dyeing since joining the list about five years ago.

Go to QuiltArt Quinceañera for the rest of the amazing quilts.

Not a beanstalk, but...

2010-05-24T18:42:00.000-05:00

Daniel's giant 8 1/2 foot sunflower. The flower is just starting to open. For reference, the human is about 6 ft tall. The tomatoes in the background have turned light green.

Global Warning, unfortunately once again

2010-05-22T12:05:00.003-05:00

In the wake of the oil spill in the Gulf, I am pulling this quilt out again. Seems even more appropriate than when I made it a few years ago. This is the second event with a major ecological impact in less than 5 years in the gulf coast area.

Artist's Statement:
Although Katrina missed my part of the state and Rita did not leave much physical damage, both hurricanes had lasting effects on the entire state, both financially and emotionally. Scientists have linked rising global temperatures to increasingly violent storms. Who do we blame? The phrases in red list a few likely culprits, but the words in green are the underlying causes: the seven deadly sins and a few extra. Will civilization change its ways before the entire planet is devastated?

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth’s superb surprise

As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind—

Emily Dickinson c. 1868

Phrases in red on background:
pork barrel politics                        carbon dioxide
gas guzzling vehicles               corps of engineers
inadequate leadership          excess emissions            fear
diverted funding                       polluter tax breaks
faulty evacuation planning           ozone layer hole
fossil fuel dependency          vanishing wetlands
excess oil consumption         coastal erosion
toxic byproducts                  shrinking polar ice caps
incomplete ecosystems                dead zones
The poor will always be with us
Tell all the truth but tell it slant

green words in the red area:
selfishness
intolerance
arrogance
extravagance
vanity
avarice
gluttony
sloth
hubris
envy
Other ecologically-themed pieces:

Vanishing Wetlands: Legislative Compromise

materials: 434 adhesive bandages, corn pad, gauze, adhesive tape, spanish moss, netting, cotton fabric, acrylic paint

Endangered Swamp: Fade to Black
(note how the wildlife is missing from the pictures)

Coming Attractions!

2010-05-02T09:04:00.000-05:00

The first Amaryllis are opening

First of many daylilies

Asiatic Lilies budding

Sunflowers (oops pink crocs got in the picture)

Baby tomatoes almost as big as ping pong balls

Lettuce & onions with contrasting shades of green

It's a baby cucumber!

And a baby pepper!

Another gratuitous tomato shot

Happy Earth Day

2010-04-22T21:21:00.000-05:00

Louisiana Iris

2010-04-12T10:25:00.000-05:00

First bloom from a transplant planted about 18 months ago.

Annual Alexandria Azalea Explosion!

2010-04-08T19:23:00.001-05:00

White is boring, and only one color is for the timid! I planted most of these around 1994.

What happens when an artist who craves color plants shrubbery? COLOR!

Boris helps, and Oslo rolls in the dirt, as usual.

First hostas, banana tree shoot and very first Louisiana Iris, from a plant that was transplanted last year!

Happy (day after) Easter!

2010-04-05T10:09:00.001-05:00

I made this on http://www.dumpr.net/ The first image is from a hand dyed sarong, soon to be listed on etsy. Guess where the second image is from?

Victoria & Albert Museum, U.K. Quilt of Quilts

2010-04-02T11:11:00.003-05:00

Quilt of Quilts

Maple Leaf Rag

View this quilt on the V&A website

http://www.vam.ac.uk/microsites/quilts/quilt/detail/id/390

Old State Capitol, Baton Rouge

2010-03-30T18:17:00.004-05:00

After Cinderella's Ball

Spiral Staircase

Stained Glass Dome

Door Hinges

fireplace insert & side detail

grandfather clock

carved bench

clock details

views from the second floor

Cateloupe & catalope (and wisteria)

2010-03-30T09:08:00.000-05:00

Catalope & Cateloupe

Catalope: Part cat, part antelope (top)

Cateloupe: cat who looks as though she swallowed a canteloupe seed & it grew big & round in her tummy (bottom)

The first of the azaleas

2010-03-29T10:31:00.000-05:00

looks like spring!

2010-03-21T12:38:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was the first day of Spring, so it rained & got cold, of course! All photos taken March 14.

Rocky the jungle kitty

Peach tree flowering

Daniel collected the discarded green onion parts at work & planted them.

Tulip Magnolia

Wisteria buds

the last of the flowering pear

glads pushing up

daffodils now withered

Banana Tree starting to grow again

Oslo rolling in the dirt-her favorite outdoor activity. Should've named her Pigpen!

Spring!

2010-03-08T11:05:00.001-06:00

Pear Trees in full flower

The red amaryllis is indoors, but the outdoor ones are starting to green up.

Happy Heart Day

2010-02-14T08:47:00.001-06:00

Photographed at Bluebonnet Swamp, Baton Rouge, on Jan 24, 2010

Alexandria Freezes Over

2010-02-12T11:01:00.003-06:00

It's been said that the Saints would go to the Superbowl when Hell freezes over! Well, we all know how THAT went! Not Hell, but Alexandria did freeze over. Daffodils, daylilies & Southern Magnolias covered with snow. Rocky ventured out around the yard, but had trouble walking in it. She would stop and shake her paw, then take another step and repeat. Daniel made the largest snowman ever in his 19 years. We were out of carrots, so it has a celery nose. And, we had a visit from a raccoon at some point, as evidenced by the tracks.

Voting Time Again

2010-02-08T10:27:00.003-06:00

Handmade Louisiana Craft Along voting is up. Theme: New Beginnings. My Piece: Rainbow Hand Dyed Velvet Scarf. Vote here:

Winter at the Swamp

2010-02-07T15:00:00.000-06:00

All photos taken at Bluebonnet Swamp, Baton Rouge, on Jan 24, 2010

Early Spring?

2010-02-04T20:52:00.003-06:00

Saucer (Japanese) Magnolias budding, more camellias to come after those now blooming. Daffodils pushing up, paperwhites already there. All photos taken on Jan. 31!

My page!

2010-02-04T20:11:00.000-06:00

Page 383 of 500 Art Quilts. My quilt is the black& white caladium leaf on the upper right, Shady Lady.

Winter Sky

2010-01-31T13:21:00.000-06:00

The sky in the morning has been most interesting lately. These were taken between Woodworth and Baton Rouge on Jan 24, 2010, all but one through the windshield, which is tinted a bit.

Featured Artisan

2010-01-29T16:44:00.000-06:00

Stroll on over to Amanda's blog: http://chloeboutique.blogspot.com/ and check out her feature on my online shop, SplendiferousFiber.etsy.com. Amanda & I are both members of Handmade Louisiana, a group to promote local artisans and their handmade products. Thanks!

Damsel in Distress

2010-01-13T09:00:00.000-06:00

Rocky the rocket cat is very talented at climbing up trees. Climbing down is another story. The more scared she got yesterday, the higher she climbed. We were finally able to coax her down enough to reach her with the extension ladder, but she was probably up high in the Live Oak for 5 hours, fussing loudly the whole time. All that climbing and meowing made for a hungry kitten. She's ready to go out and have another backyard adventure today.

Fiber at the Swamp: Off the Wall and Into the Swamp

2010-01-07T14:49:00.005-06:00

Time for the annual fiber show at Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center in Baton Rouge, on exhibit now through Feb 7, 2010.

This year's theme: Off the Wall. Everything must have three dimensions. My pieces:

knitted wire maple leaf

There are some random beads but they don't show very well on this background.

Autumn Leaf

painted muslin with paintstick rubbing

overlaid with leaf-printed organza

Reception: January 24 at BREC Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, 10503 North Oak Hills Parkway, Baton Rouge
Free admission to reception. All are welcome!

Jungle Kitties

2009-12-29T18:39:00.002-06:00

Moose outside and Oslo hiding in the houseplants

And three of the new baby, Rocky as is Rockette, Rocket J. Squirrel, and Rocky Raccoon. Currently wearing the Cone of Shame, as she had a fateful trip to the Vet last Wednesday, and would not leave the stitches alone. She's a growing girl, although she would not appreciate a little watering!

Vote for Me! (My 100th Post!)

2009-12-11T12:25:00.009-06:00

Oh Christmas Tree jacket, size small, is entirely pieced. NO cheater cloth here! Interestingly enough, only 2 solid fabrics in the whole thing: Dark green in the lattice areas on the front, and metallic gold lame'. All other fabrics are prints. A few details below:

There are two categories, Small Projects (which the jacket is in, although it was NO small project to make), and large bed-size quilts.

Here's the link to the main contest page with thumbnails or larger photos in both categories:
http://quiltinggallery.com/quilters-fun/holiday-traditions/

Here's the ballot itself:
http://quiltinggallery.com/2009/12/08/voting-now-for-the-holiday-traditions-quilt-contest/

It's Snowing Down South

2009-12-06T10:30:00.004-06:00

Or at least it was Friday night.

Banana trees across the street.

Roof tiles make a pattern across the other street.

Southern Magnolias with snow on the branches.

Snow creating patterns in the plantings at the Saturday Art Market. It was COLD! Not many shoppers out and about.

Frosty camellias.

By mid-morning, snow was sliding off the roof and into the plantings below.

Don't be surprised if it's 80 degrees next week. Stranger things have happened.

Triple Play

2009-11-24T22:01:00.005-06:00

King of Pain

Quiltart's annual online journal quilt show here:
http://www.quiltart.com/triple_play/
Each participant made three 8.5 x 11 quilts with a common theme, hence the Triple Play title.

See the others at the link above.

I made three quilts back in January for the Quilting Arts "Rock On" Challenge, and had plenty of other ideas, so my three pieces in this online show are inspired by three more songs.

AND it made my day Wednesday when Karey Bresenhan, International Quilt Festival's Founder Extraordinare posted to QuiltArt, "...It's hard to pick a favorite, but three of the entries really captured my attention: Ellen Apte, Wendy Starn, and Els Vereychen. ..." What an honor to be singled out by Karey B. (She was also the juror for 500 Art Quilts, so I am doubly honored)!

Uh Oh another new baby

2009-11-13T17:22:00.003-06:00

She appeared in the yard one day. Of course, my son picked her up and brought her inside to show me. She immediately decided she had a new daddy. Saturday, she managed to get in between the interior and exterior walls of the house where the water pipes go in for the washer. Apparently she got scared and started to climb until she was between the first and second floors. An extension ladder was required to rescue her and nail the siding back on the house.

A bit of fall color

2009-11-10T23:02:00.010-06:00

Not much color here yet, but a little bit is starting to come out. Most of the trees that change color will hold off for at least another month. All photos: Bluebonnet Swamp, Baton Rouge, Sunday, 11/8/09.

Vote for Me!

2009-11-07T19:55:00.005-06:00

http://www.handmadelouisiana.com/2009/11/vote-for-october-craft-long-winner-here.html

Vote at the above link for my scarf, Autumn Glory, pictured in the post directly below this one. this month's theme was Happy fall ya'll. Colorful leaves sunprinted in fall colors and overprinted in metallics are the epitome of autumn. This scarf also won a blue ribbon for miscellaneous handicraft at the Rapides Parish Fair.

New Scarves

2009-10-28T16:11:00.002-05:00

Hand painted, sunprinted, and overprinted.

vote for this article in the Handmade Louisiana Craft-along, beginning Nov. 9. Theme: Autumn

http://www.handmadelouisiana.com/

Hand dyed velvet rainbow!

Eye of the Quilter

2009-10-16T18:10:00.003-05:00

Looks like I was not accepted into this year's show in Houston, so I'm having my own little Salon des Refusés.

Bloggers Quilt Festival

2009-10-14T15:46:00.004-05:00

The name of this piece is Vanishing Wetlands: Legislative Compromise.

I chose this piece because it is mounted on stretcher bars, and ineligible for many shows because it is mounted. It is made of black cotton. layers of green and brown netting, and 434 adhesive bandages, 1 corn pad, gauze, adhesive tape, spanish moss, and acrylic paint. It has 3 layers held together by stitching, and meets the definition of a quilt. Yes, it's an art conservationist's worst nightmare. But at the rate things are going here in Louisiana, it may last longer than the wetlands. This piece was originally made for a show at the Bluebonnet swamp Nature Center in Baton Rouge entitled Save Our Swamps.

Full size photo courtesy of John Hartgerink

Late Bloomer

2009-10-13T16:33:00.001-05:00

Last of the spider lilies
First of the colorful leaves

And one daylily that defied mother nature and bloomed in October!

Big News! Published in a Book!

2009-10-03T18:09:00.006-05:00

Shady Lady and detail

Lark Books will be publishing 500 Art Quilts in spring, 2010. There will be 499 art quilts AND ONE OF MINE! Can you tell I'm excited? Can you guess how many typos I am making because my fingers are hitting all the wrong keys?

Link to Lark catalog: http://www.larkbooks.com/catalog?isbn=9781600590580

Original post with more info and a back detail: http://splendiferousfiber.blogspot.com/2008/10/shady-lady.html

Copper Leaves, Greens and Golds

2009-10-02T13:38:00.005-05:00

Copper Leaves & details. Sunprinted with copper overprinting

Greens and Golds with details. Sunprinted, with pearl emerald overprinting and gold spatters.

Cascading Oak and Falling Leaves

2009-10-02T11:16:00.003-05:00

Cascading Oak and detail. Printed so that the direction of the leaves changes in center back.

Falling Leaves and details. Sunprinted with gold overprinting.

Scarves to "Dye" For

2009-10-01T22:36:00.004-05:00

Actually, they're done with textile paints. Forest Floor and details. Sunprinted, overprinted with pearl blue and turquoise, and spattered with metallic gold. Model: Half-Headed Hilda (brainless but hardworking).

Autumn

2009-09-28T08:36:00.004-05:00

We are having a bumper crop of Spider Lilies this year. Apparently they are known as cluster amaryllis in Japan and bloom around the autumn equinox everywhere. They are also known as Surprise Lilies and, of all things, Naked Ladies. The leaves come up in spring and resemble monkey grass/liriope, which grows everywhere here. By the time the flowers appear, the leaves are long gone, hence some of the more colorful common names. I have read that they are sterile, but I have laid the spent flowers where I wanted to plant them, and gotten results the next year.

Moose, making sure he is perfectly groomed. Along with all the "beauty sleep" he gets, he makes for one handsome dude.

Breaking Traditions 2009

2009-09-27T09:24:00.003-05:00

Debut of 2009 exhibition at the American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan, September 25 - 27.

Theme: Home

Entry fees benefit "A Place to Bark," a pet rescue program.

Here are closeups of my two pieces in the show:

http://splendiferousfiber.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html

Boris & Natasha is 7 th from left, up 3 from bottom.

Dancing in the Moonlight is bottom row, 2nd from left.

An online catalog will be up soon.

School Days - A Blast from the Past

2009-09-26T17:52:00.005-05:00

Here's my entry for this month's Handmade Louisiana Craft along: Custom clothing.

Custom made jumper and blouse for my daughter when she was about 8. The fabrics were just too cute to pass up. A matching vest and clip on bowtie for her 5 year old brother. I woke up one morning and they were grown.. How did THAT happen?

New Scarves

2009-09-26T17:31:00.002-05:00

the one directly above is sold!

Not great photos. One of the top two is already sold, and the others are available at Delicious Art. Not local? Contact me and I will make arrangements.

Equal Time!

2009-09-22T14:06:00.002-05:00

Boris in the yard.
Moose in his favorite cat bunker.

More scarves coming soon!

CPU=Cat Perching Unit

2009-09-20T12:04:00.002-05:00

More Scarves

2009-09-18T15:42:00.002-05:00

Made today in a class at Delicious Art. they were eventually dried, ironed and stamped.

This can't be comfortable!

2009-09-13T12:34:00.002-05:00

Note the tummy hanging down between the CPU and the monitor.

Sunshine and Shadow

2009-09-07T10:45:00.000-05:00

Craft Along Voting Time!

2009-09-06T09:34:00.005-05:00

Vote for your favorite piece in Handmade Louisiana's first ever Craft Along. Theme: Louisiana Life. You can even vote for my piece, shown below. Here's the link to the poll:
http://www.handmadelouisiana.com/2009/09/first-ever-handmade-louisiana-craft.html

Handmade Louisiana

2009-09-05T21:50:00.008-05:00

There's a new team on the block (well, in the state): Handmade Louisiana. All the members create hand made art or fine craft or sell vintage items. Huge variety of items: rustic to sophisticated, and using pretty much any material you can think of: glass, wood, wire, fabric, wax, ad infinitum. And My etsy shop is profiled Monday, Sept 7 on our blog:

http://www.handmadelouisiana.com/2009/09/member-artisan-profile-splendiferous.html

Come visit us, y'all!

Global Warning

2009-08-31T10:24:00.003-05:00

A number of people in my fiber artists' group made pieces commemorating or commenting on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Artist Statement on this piece:

Although Katrina missed my part of the state and Rita did not leave much physical damage, both hurricanes had lasting effects on the entire state, both financially and emotionally. Scientists have linked rising global temperatures to increasingly violent storms. Who do we blame? The phrases in red list a few likely culprits, but the words in green are the underlying causes: the seven deadly sins and a few extra. Will civilization change its ways before the entire planet is devastated?

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth’s superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind—

Emily Dickinson c. 1868

Other Louisiana artists in this group include:

Nancy Hinds http://www.fiberartsstudio.com/gallery1.htm

Claire Fenton http://www.clairefenton.com/

Lucy Landry http://lucylandrydesigns.com/default.aspx

Patty Gamburg

Sally Gordon

Melanie Borne

Sharon Walton

Lisa Ducote

Melody Greenberg

Susan Broussard

Mary Felder

Louise Regan

Sharon Crary http://www.crt.state.la.us/crafts/db/companydb.asp?AUTONUMBER=208

Swamp Shots

2009-08-31T09:41:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite places to take photos is Bluebonnet Swamp in Baton Rouge, an oasis set in the middle of urban America. Most of these are studies in texture. All photos taken on August 9, 2009.

Delicious Scarves

2009-08-26T14:59:00.007-05:00

Scarf painting class I taught today at Delicious Art in Alexandria, LA. Everyone's was unique. Funny, but the favorite color of the class (fawn) was the color I liked the least. Give me those jewel tones and brights! I think the class was enjoyed by all, and I was thanked verbally as well as monetarily) at the end, something I'm not used to but certainly appreciate!

Class repeats on Sept. 18. Limited to 8, so sign up early!

They dried faster with a hair dryer.

We worked on freezer paper so that part could be rolled up (small space).

Two sisters used the same colors.

Finished products (a bit too backlit).

Subversive Stitcher: Who me?

2009-08-21T07:56:00.004-05:00

My two little quilts are featured on Dawn Goldsmith's Subversive Stitchers blog today.

http://subversivestitch.blogspot.com/2009/08/breaking-traditions-art-quilt-exhibit.html

Guess that confirms that I'm subversive (at least stitching-wise), right?

Handmade Louisiana Craft-Along

2009-08-17T13:03:00.006-05:00

Handmade Louisiana, a group promoting handmade items by Louisiana Artisans, is having a Craft-Aong this month. Theme: Louisiana Life. I thought these little bags I made were pretty appropriate. After all, Louisiana is famous for Mardi Gras. and it's not just in New Orleans- Alexandria now has three parades! Bags will be back in my etsy shop this fall, in time for holiday shopping.

Fungus Amongus

2009-08-14T17:47:00.003-05:00

All photos taken Aug 9, 2009 at Bluebonnet Swamp, Baton Rouge

Bugs at Bluebonnet

2009-08-12T12:07:00.005-05:00

The butterfly shots are less than awesome, but I was happy to get something. I deleted at least 3 shots each for the butterflies and dragonfly and probably 6 or 7 for the spider. The huge black (crickets? grasshoppers?) were everywhere, as were the giant orb spiders. All pictures taken at Bluebonnet Swamp, Baton Rouge on August 9, 2009.

Basket Case

2009-08-10T12:47:00.003-05:00

This is Oslo's new favorite place to sleep. We'd been collecting tomatoes in it, and she was only too eager to claim it for herself. It's exactly the right size, which means in cat logic that it should be hers.

New Work

2009-07-31T10:45:00.006-05:00

Boris and Natasha, the Yin-Yang Kittens
Damcing in the Moonlight

These were made for the 2009 Breaking Traditions exhibit at the American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan. this year's theme is "Home," and the entry fee benefits "A Place to Bark." For more info on the show click on the logo in the right hand column. Both pieces measure 12 x 12 inches (and are actually square despite the wonky photos). For the full story of Boris and Natasha, see this link:

http://btaqe.blogspot.com/2009/06/new-beginnings-sunday.html

Larger quilt using the same techniques:

http://splendiferousfiber.blogspot.com/2009/05/new-quilts-metamorphosis-new-quilts.html

what I've been up to - painting scarves

2009-07-17T17:30:00.006-05:00

Scrunched or salted, painted and layered with metallic stamped images.

dragonflies
oak leaves

ferns on gauze SOLD!

spirals

geometry

turquoise butterflies

butterflies on gauze

spirals, resisted and stamped SOLD!

more oak leaves

trees SOLD!!

silver and gold spatters

golden fronds

bronze fronds

Sunny

2009-07-17T13:22:00.002-05:00

baby sunflowers piggy back on the stem of a large one

one of the big guys

all in a corner of the veggie garden

2009-07-04T13:08:00.002-05:00

They're out of the nest now, but here are the baby robins. Mama sat on those eggs for a LONG time, but once they hatched, it was almost no time until they could start to fly.

sleepy?

always hungry.This little guy went exploring and got to the branch above the nest. Perhaps it got crowded in there as the babies got bigger.

Pecan bark & budding sunflower.