Zippy Sewing Project!

We made these cute pouches in my sewing class at Hancock Fabrics last Saturday:

They are fully lined with a functional zipper closure. Perfect for pencils, makeup, or just gathering those loose items that often fill a handbag.

Coming soon: sewing classes for beginners, including Machine Basics, Fabric Flowers, and Awesome Aprons!

Totes Amazing!

We had SEW much fun making tote bags in my sewing class at Hancock Fabrics this past Saturday. The highlight for me is always watching my students get so excited when their project turns out…they are so proud of themselves! Here is a photo of the finished products.

On to zippered pouches next Saturday, then pajama pants after that!

Recycle! Reuse! Repurpose!

Our soft-sculptured doll club, the Space Coast Doll Artists, took a field trip to the Reusable Resources Adventure Center in Melbourne. Here’s a photo of the wonderful items I was able to “rescue” and plan to recycle, repurpose, and reuse:

There were so many things to choose from! Stacks of all kinds of papers and cardboard (look at those manila folders, just waiting to be made into little paper boxes!); chunks of foam that will become “rubber” stamps; tiny plastic bottles that will become storage for beads and trinkets; little foam circles that will be glued onto a base and become a texturing tool; a bag of shredded paper; a roll of twine; tin boxes; metal rulers (a closure for a purse?); pens; labels; laminate I will use as paint palettes….

I can’t wait to go back! Here’s the website in case you’d also like to visit:

http://www.reusecenterbrevard.org

...and our doll club website:

http://www.spacecoastdollartists.com

My Friend Ruth Funk

Ruth Funk’s book signing was today, at the Foosaner Museum in Eau Gallie. Her book entitled “Dolls Etcetera” showcases her private collection of dolls, which will also live permanently at the museum.

My “Ruth doll” evolved as many of my dolls do, with no preconceived notion of what will be. I began with the head, and as I was painting the face, it bore a remarkable resemblance to Ruth. That was all I needed to decide that this doll would be a tribute to Ruth Funk.

I added to the sculpted body many details that I knew to be Ruth. She often wears slacks and t-shirts, so velveteen pants and a cotton shirt were made from repurposed thrift store finds. Ruth is somewhat famous for her fabulous coats, so I used a piece of vintage kimono silk to create a small jacket, lined in soft peach fabric, and trimmed in green silk. Inside the jacket I hand embroidered “I’m a spontaneous artist” which is a quote from Ruth’s first book “Cloth and Culture”. Also, true to Ruth’s jacket design aesthetic, I added hand-made bead embellishment to the back of the jacket.

Ruth is accessorized with strung beads, tiny metallic bracelets, rings, earrings, and a watch. She stands permanently on a paper-covered wood block, with hands clasped, looking like the lady that she is.

I have been blessed to know Ruth for many years. We share a love of textiles, art, fiber and dolls. Ruth radiates peace and love, and a passion for her art. I’m so happy to have crossed paths with her, and was very happy to have God’s hand guide me as I created a doll just for her. I presented it to her at the book signing, and was so happy see her reaction: “That’s me! That’s me!” she exclaimed.

I think she likes it!

Love Magnet

Isn't this cute? I made about a dozen of these to sell at the Art & Antiques Studio & Gallery, just in time for Valentine's Day!

They're tiny art quilts (about 2" by 3") hand painted, hand lettered, and individually quilted, with a magnet sewn in. Come to the First Friday event on February 1st in the Eau Gallie Arts District and find me at the Gallery!

"Found Objects" Art Doll

Probably one of my creepier dolls, this one was made from “found objects” as per the quarterly challenge issued by our Space Coast Doll Artists club. 

Her body is a plastic cone from serger thread, wings made from an old butterfly barrette and plastic hooks from kitchen towels. Her feet are clips that held aluminum loaf pans together, which probably have more metal than the pans did. Her head is double poker chips with a headphone plug nose, which was clipped from the wires that make her hair (which I literally found, half-buried in a dirt a parking lot.) Her skirt is fashioned from feathers and a vintage 1980s earring, and her ta-tas are modestly covered with daisy appliqués. 

Just thought I'd share it with you!

Crazy Quilt Kimono

Well, it's not really a crazy quilt in the truest sense of the technique, but it was kind of crazy to make! I did finish it on time, but just got around to posting the pix. Here's the back, which is just like the front but with a center panel.

The front view (below) also shows the lining, which will definitely not win any awards or qualify me for a spot on Project Runway, but it NEEDED to be lined to hide all the seaming.

I might work on this kimono-style jacket some more, adding embellishments here and there. But for now, I'm back to prepping classes to teach and dabbling in fiber arts......