Friendship

This is a photo of the package contents I received from my dear friend Gena in France. Included was a Zine she created about D-A-N-C-E, "Quelle Couleur Estla Danse?"

Is it the color of Nature? Of Joy? Is it Feminine? A Mystery!

"One of the earliest structured uses of dances may have been in the performance and telling of myths." It was also sometimes used to show feelings for one of the opposite sex."

How interesting to delve into the origins, movements, interpretations, and emotions of this human behaviour called Dance! Gena offered an to express a personal reaction to the narration in the Zine.

"Make Your Own Dancing Spirit"

Fabric, flowers, ribbon, yarn, textured material, even faces---all included to begin the dance with Her!

Her - Gena, the Completed Doll, the Connections With You, Mother Earth....Let's Everyone Reach Out and D-A-N-C-E.

Thank you dear Gena for sharing the beautiful melody!

Big Horn Sheep!

The heard of sheep was grazing off our bedroom balcony!

What a beautiful experience watching them climbing the hill...The older males leading and occasionally butting horns...so neat.

The neighborhood enjoys the sheep everyday in the park near our home. It is sweet watching the heard and the children on the swings, slides, and picnicking all around them.(Photos posted on an earlier date-do scroll down!)

We were fortunate to watch them return in the evening to the mountain near our home. Over 50 big horn sheep crossing the street, stopping and grazing, then continuing up the stone and dirt terrain.

Summer Sandal's - Bookmark

Summertime-Sand, Shells, Sun, and SANDALS....

These are Bookmarks-they are fun to construct. This year's fabrics offered a perfect sandal print. I also used a postcard with lots of purple pansy's.

The back of the sandal-bookmark has a pocket to insert a summer punch recipe and a small paper umbrella.

Each one is always a bit unique. They are well received as hostess gifts, RAKs, and party favors. I included, in the picture, the back of a bookmark...you can see the blue umbrella.

Chain of Hearts

"A Cup of Tea" offers hand embroidery with a quote, "Each cup of Tea Represents an Imaginary Voyage" -C. Douzel. Two vintage fabrics with teacups are complimented with a contemporary rose print. A vintage pressed scalloped button and a charming old photo-transparency of a lady sitting on the edge of the tea cup. It measures 6 x 6.

"Blooming"

This Heart is machine embroidered with a decorative stitch around the parameter. The focal point is this awesome photo of a deco woman draped in tulips..this is created with dual transparencies. A lacy pink bow and a vintage tiny green button complete this very uniquely created heart.

"Love Lyrics" is the title of the book the beautiful reclined woman reads. The quote, "Tea and Books...Hmmm, Two of Life's Exquisite Pleasures That Bring Near-Bliss." The background fabric is a decorative tea-theme from Australia. The composition is complete with a clear faceted button. Hand embroidery is done on the pieces with a machine design around the edges. This heart measures 6 x 6. "People" This next Heart uses two interesting fabrics. "Step by Step" by Alexander Henry. This simple, yet complex graphic style offers illusionary steps brought to life with silhouettes . "In Crowd" is another fabric design by Alexander Henry. A retro print of 50's 60's faces. This is an 2006 out-of-print design. The large vintage button (almost 2 inches) complete this Heart.

The Hearts are for trade in the Yahoo Group Chain of Hearts. If you are interested in purchasing one please email me. They are ideal to enhance a dress, shirt, or a jacket. The Hearts can also be used to enhance many of your accessories; a scarf, a bag, or even a chapeau...

Mini Vintage Wall Hanging

Dear Gena received her birthday gift...I can post it..I had such fun creating this little piece of art. A 12 x 12 mini wall hanging with a friendship theme. I used angelina fibers and fun buttons (Thank you Linda!) The photo was in my Secret Pal's package I received last month.

I also made another mini quilt for my child hood friend in New York: the quote reads, "Friendship is the knot tied by angel's hands." Lots of vintage buttons!

Chain of Hearts

Two more hearts for Trade:

This very contemporary heart is made with fabric named "Step by Step." The designer of this graphic print is Alexander Henry. The entire pattern is stairways to nowhere and tiny images of silhouetted people measuring between 3/4" to 1". The quote of an unknown author reads, "All things are in Process, Rising and Returning." The two vintage typewriter keys read "Shift Freedom," rectangular, and "Shift Key" circular. I always attempt to incorporate a vintage touch to my art work. I thought both of these keys were neat with the design. This black and white heart is backed with a soft, white fabric and measures 5.25 x 5.00. A very unique heart that will inspire conversation!

This heart is named "50's Soda Fountain." I can still remember when I tasted my first milk shake...it was strawberry and Elvis was playing on the jukebox, "Don't Be Cruel."
This is an embroidery design from http://www.enchantingembroidery.com/.

Margarita Kovnat is the designer. Her patterns are very special.

My camera does not show how beautiful this image stitched out. I orignally had another art project for this, but it becam a heart! I outlined the heart's edge with a scalloped machine stitch and added a tiny length of yellow lace. This heart measures 6 x 6 and is backed with a soft, white fabric.
I am ready to TRADE!

Muchie Bear Arrives!

Adrianna received her package today!

She is so happy with the "angel bears" as she calls them. Here she is opening the envelope. This next photo shows her playing with them
How much fun to make a child happy. Isn't this what
creating beautiful art is about?

I purchase beautiful paper doll designs from two sources: http://www.allgrannysgirls.com - Muchie Bear
http://www.embroiderydesignplace.com

Munchie - Teddy Bear

These were so much fun to embroider! The set is traveling to Adrianna, a little girl that was recently quite ill. Her name was posted on a Yahoo Group for prayers. I decided to make her this set of fabric paperdolls.










The set is titled "Munchie Bear"
I made five outfits:
Little Bear Loves Honey
Little Bear Picks Apples
Little Bear Goes Fishing
Little Bear Goes to a Party
Little Bear Goes to Sleep
Each outfit is mounted on a plastic sheet
with a note about the design. There is also a
photo of the completed outfit!
They are from All Grannysgirls:
http://www.allgrannysgirls.com/

Quote for May 1, 2009
Understanding the cycles of creation will help us thrive in change, rather than fear it. We have forgotten that time is cyclical. Nature itself is an example of constant birth, growth, death, and renewal.— Linda Naiman, Creativity and the Meaning of Work


Linda Naiman is a Corporate Alchemist, and founder of Creativity at Work. She is recognized internationally for pioneering arts-based learning as a catalyst for leadership and team development, creativity, collaboration, and cultivating environments that foster innovation.
http://www.creativityatwork.com/

I have been following Linda's work and wanted to share her creative approach to our work environment and our lives. I particularly enjoyed her Top Ten Reasons to Play! http://www.creativityatwork.com/articlesContent/playwork.htm

As we all embrace the economic challenges of our day-to-day living and witness the painful experiences of so many, Linda's refreshing ideas and thoughts provide sound suggestions for surviving and changing our thinking.

We can all be activists in making a difference. Especially, with our creative energies and talents. Share Linda's thoughts, incorporate her language into our conversations, continue to receive Linda's newsletter for personal growth an enriched approach and attitude to life's daily actions. Let's make it happen....

Boulder City and The Big Horn Sheep

This was taken 6 a.m. the sun is rising! Our view of Lake Mead from our deck....it is beautiful. The next picture is from our side patio. The mountains actually change color throughout the day. Don and I went to breakfast this morning and....the Big Horn Sheep have come down from the mountain! They will be grazing on the green grass and drinking water from the pails people provide. They grazed all day in the park located at the bottom of the road near our house. You can see Lake Mead in the background. There are two large gazebos with picnic tables, a children's' playground, a tennis court, basketball court, and a horse shoe pit.

Make room for the sheep:

Birthday Gift

This delicate and beautifully created art piece is a birthday gift from a very avante guarde friend. The detail and intricate stitching is exquisite. She made this birthday selection on Etsy!

The hand opens to hold a heart-shaped felt piece place for sewing needles!

The poem reads, "Love seeks to serve, and hands do too, for the heart sees a need and the hand follows through" - Anonymous

A J-O-Y to receive!

Tea Time

This is a "Tea Time" package I made for a friend. We are communicating through art with a monthly exchange. Imagine what this package signifies. I am sure it will reflect a common theme, but individual reactions will depend on many personal emotions, experiences, and energies. What do you see?

I enjoy the machine embroidery design of a comfortable chair with a steaming cup of tea. There is a small metal chair with a sign, "A cup of tea is the beginning an imaginary voyage."A fabric bookmark with a tea design is included as well as a page of quotes about tea. The tiny silver-plated spoon has small pink swarovski crystal in the spoon's bowl. A real FUN project....what am I communicating?