Okay!  I’m in rebellion mode today! I have an almost complete website – with some portfolio posts requiring additional attention and more posts to do.  It’s been six weeks or more of  many long days of work.  I should be working on that! I could be doing more hand stitching on my ‘exhibition’ piece that is still under construction and I have two more exhibition piece commitments to go… There is a box of...

  I’ve carried on a tradition that my Mother began with her first grandchild, my oldest son.  Each year at Christmas she would search for or make a Christmas tree ornament for each grandchild. If I remember correctly, McKenzie’s first ornament was an ‘Arizona Cactus’ purchased while preparing for Christmas in Phoenix AZ that year.  In 2011, while in Osoyoos, BC prior to Christmas 2011, I spotted this tiny bear who...

  Somewhere on my art journey, I acquired a large plastic bin of tartan and wool skirts.  A few were added from my personal collection over the years and I was/am challenged to figure out what to do with them – all that beautiful woolen fabric! I think that the bin probably dates back to my rug hooking days – they make beautiful variegated fabric when over dyed!  Although I still have one mat/rug in the UFO bin, designed to...

These table runners were prepared as promotion items for a course in a quilt shop – as requested by the owner. It was based on a pattern by Patty Latourelle and I believe she brought back from Quilt Market. I got permission to use the pattern when teaching classes at the time when I made these.  I faced the pieced top rather than using a binding for the edge.  I like the look. When I recently did a web search, I find that the pattern is...

This was a series of machine embroidery picture mats that I used along with a collection of small  recycled picture frames for quick family Christmas exchange items. Many, but not all, have Christmas themes and therefore, I’m sure, get packed away each year.  It gave me a great opportunity to use my sewing machine’s embroidery capacity – a feature that I don’t use enough!   A quick check through family photos provided me...

  This was a really fun project!  I’ve always thought I would do some more of these 3-D fabric sculptures – but make my own patterns. This one was based on a pattern in a Quilting Arts magazine, possibly their Christmas special I think.  I have a friend who is very fond of her cuppa tea and so it was made especially for her.  The funny thing is, after giving it to her, I never saw it again!  In spite of many shared afternoon...

  This was one of my first fabric photo transfer projects.  The photo was printed as part of a workshop that I took at the fabric shop in Arnprior, ON.  I’ve used this technique in a number of projects since and sometimes use photo printing to record my photo inspiration on the back of a quilt or for my labels. The pieced border was from batiks and when completed had the look of suede.  A quick and easy gift item that commemorates...

  This coat has provided me with many cozy hours during our RV travel years!  It started it’s life as an ankle-length boiled-wool coat that I purchase to brave Ottawa winters while traveling to and from work.  It was purchased at a time when my weight had skyrocketed and by the next winter, after some time with Weight Watchers, it no longer fit and was relegated to the back of a closet. One of my fibre art...

  This coat of metallic fabric found in the dollar bin prior to hallowe’en, was perfect for an ‘armour challenge’ – the ArtWear group’s project for 2007.  It has holograph circles that really make it shimmer! I designed the pattern from scratch based on photos in a Time Life book I had on my bookshelf.  I’ve worn it several times and it is responsible for me meeting Hanne,  my first Alberta based Fibre...

This vest, wearable art, was made in 2008 while spending the winter months in Phoenix AZ.  This was our ‘test’ winter,  the year prior to starting our extended RV travels.  Our son moved to Phoenix in 2001 and we had traveled to the SW each year prior to this.  In 2008 we alternated car travel throughout the state with time exploring the city of Phoenix.  It was the year we truly fell in love with the Southwest. This vest was my...