Here’s another fabric bowl. I decided not to give this one away. For one thing, I didn’t think I would be able to finish it. It is made with denim and then I stenciled it with oil paint sticks. The problem is that now it has four layers of denim, plus stiff interfacing and the dried oil paint to stitch through. Needless to say it was a little difficult to satin stitch the middle square. Note to self: consider the eventual thickness when choosing fabric for this type of bowl or consider buying a sturdier sewing machine.

But I liked the outcome even though the stitching is less than my usual standards. Another reason not to give it as a gift!

Here is the start of my December TIF challenge piece. The subject is generosity. The pomegranate is a symbol of abundance and generosity. I did buy two pomegranates with the hope of doing some stamping with the cut pomegranate and then use pieces of pomegranate and seeds to make a deconstructive silk screen. Since I didn’t have time for either of those projects, I decided to complete this canvas that I had gessoed many moons ago. So I used my oil paint sticks again to draw the pomegranates and then used a watercolor wash of Paynes Grey for the background. However, the grey is very blue. I like it but had wanted it to be blacker. I’m kind of afraid to do anything more with the background as I don’t want to spoil it.

I think I will add some text. Perhaps just: ” Pomegranates – a symbol of abundance and generosity”. My plan at this point is to either take it further and make a larger wall hanging. Or the piece of canvas was originally planned for my fiber bag which I did a “graffiti” treatment to here. So I could just sew it to the bag. The other cool thing is that in lieu of Christmas, I am taking a class in January in machine embroidery at the Gail Harker Creative Studies center. It is a 5 day class and I am so excited!

I got a package all the way from Finland today. This is for the Felting Forum Ornament Exchange. I got a needle felted snowman, some lovely red wool and a cute little card from Amanda.

Isn’t the snowman cute? Thanks Amanda!

I’ve been working on these fabric bowls for some Christmas gifts.

Here’s a Christmas one.

And here’s the whole set so far. I’ve got several more to go. Have to be done by Saturday.

I also started working on wool flower pins. Rebekah and I cut out all the shapes this summer. But I never got around to constructing any.

Here’s the whole set so far. I have lots more flower shapes cut out. I’m going to make some other items as well, just haven’t had time to work on any. Hope everyone is having a non-stressful lead up to the holidays. There just doesn’t seem to be enough time…

Here is my November TIF piece. It is 4″x6″ and is going to be used for a “green” postcard exchange in December as well. Two projects in one or how to save time during a busy holiday season. This month’s challenge was to use typography as design. I had a hard time getting enthused about this one. This piece has several layers and I originally planned to use some amorphous “letters” that I had stitched into some green organza but I didn’t like it. So I added a layer of very light green silk hankie which looks white in the photo. And then added a large letter with stitch on dissolving fabric. Did you figure out the letter?

How about now? I was going to try and do the full word Green with a kind of optical illusion emphasizing the negative space around the type but the idea just didn’t pan out as I wanted it to. So I kind of just winged it as I needed to finish.

Here’s a close up view. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving next week.

I have both of my “quilts” completed for the Salvaged Threads Challenge being held by Cynthia St. Charles in Billings. I am a little concerned because they are not really what most people call quilts. But I’ve finally gotten better photos and will send them in soon. I won’t find out until January though. This is Tree Stories I. It is based on tree rings that I’ve taken photos of in the woods around my house. This one also has “pine lichen” which I did with thread on water soluble fabric. The salvaged material is used in the tree stumps and then burned back. These pieces both measure about 10″ x 14 1/2″.

This is Tree Stories II. The base has layers of the salvaged materials which were free motion quilted and then burned back. I then added photos on silk and machined cord that is hand couched to the background.

I have had this fleece for ages and have been putting off washing it. Not a good plan. I washed it on Friday and even though it is significantly cleaner, it is still full of vegetable matter. It still has a lot of work to go. This is the reason you should buy processed wool – it is more expensive but you won’t have your husband telling you that a sheep drowned in your bathtub!

I am also working on Christmas ornaments for two exchanges.

These are from fused silk paper.

And this is fuzzy photo of another part of the ornament. A few more embellishments, put it all together and “presto”, ornament finished.