2021 Comes to a close...

 And what a year it has been!  My friend Cinde and I became contributing artists at Sedona Artist Market

Which led to a return for me to creating Spirit Dolls

And lots of tie-dye as well as some bowls

All in all, Sedona has been a great place to sell, and Cinde and I have enjoyed our monthly trips down to restock our booths, hike when the weather permitted, and enjoy a nice lunch together!

At Arts Connection, I stepped down early this year as co-manager and focused on keeping my booth there stocked with tie-dye, bowls, and recently some freeform weavings:

This year, we were able to resume our annual Flagstaff Open Studios tour, and although we were not sure if people would be ready to come out in gatherings due to the pandemic, we were pleasantly surprised to have a good turnout, and good sales!

On the personal front, we did have a couple of health scares - in October, Bruce had a couple of "mini strokes" which landed him in the hospital, with a myriad of follow up doctor appointments and tests.  They finally determined he has atrial fibrillation, and have modified some medications to fight blood clots.  And he has lost about 20 pounds, which is all good.  He also had to have emergency hernia surgery a few weeks back, but has healed nicely from that.  He just celebrated his 79th birthday, and we're hoping the coming year will find him in better health!

One bit of very good news - our Son Joe returned stateside after a year long deployment in Kuwait, and he and his wife Dawn will be moving from PA to TX soon, and will be coming for a visit after the first of the year.  It will be awesome to see them, and good to know they are located closer to us so maybe we can see them more often!

So as the year comes to a close, my thoughts are focused on what I want to do in 2022... right now, my creative juices are low, and I'm taking it easy, just concentrating on what I need to do, but also giving thought to what new directions I want to take creatively.  I recently bought a couple of books that I hope will get me started:

I'm always looking for hand stitching projects I can work on, especially when I work shifts at Arts Connection which is pretty much every Monday now.  And the clay book will be helpful as I strive to learn how to make my own clay faces for my Spirit Dolls.  I have another book coming soon:

I saw this in a blog post as I was admiring the blog author's freeform crochet vessels... right up my alley!  

So that's the plan so far for 2022... meanwhile, I want to wish you all a  Happy Holiday season, and a New Year of Peace, Good Health and Dreams fulfilled!

So.... what have I been doing lately?

 I've been in kind of a creative "blah" period lately... wanting to do something different, but everything I try seems to not inspire me to continue!  Every felt that?  I used to go into a creative "black hole" mostly by the end of the year, but it seems like I've been full steam ahead for the past few years.  So maybe this is just a call for time-out to catch my breath, creatively speaking.  Anyway, here are some pix of several works in progress - some may never go any further, others do have some promise... just a matter of deciding which appeals to me more.

Above, top left is a Spirit Doll that needs more, I'm just not sure what yet; top right is one in progress, but it will be a little different - I want to mount it on a flat surface, maybe a painted canvas... but haven't decided the size or shape of the canvas yet.  And below is the start of a hand stitched piece with houses.  I stopped because the first window I stitched down (lower left) is crooked, and I didn't feel like removing the stitches and doing it over, so put it aside for now.

In the picture above, I started playing with stitching swirls using a blanket stitch - the one on the dark blue background started with a blanket stitch, then I decided to make it more like a ladder stitch, if there even is such a thing!  The concentric circle is a loop stitch.  The one with the black background is more to my liking, but I have no plan for what to do next, so this is more of a stitch meditation/exercise than something with a plan in mind.  And the piece on the right is based on an article I read in QA magazine from Dec/Jan 2020 by Julie Basseches Booth where she creates small talisman pouches using layers of sheer fabrics and covers with yarn and threads she couches onto the base, then adds beads and other items before stitching the pouch together.  I've admired her work for a long time, and would love to use her techniques in my textile projects.

So other than these WIPS, what have I been up to?  Mostly dyeing shirts and tunics!  I did a few recently using a "multi swirl" pattern which were fun - here are a couple of them.

The tunic above was tie-dyed

The shirt above was "Ice dyed", meaning instead of using a liquid dye where the dye powder is dissolved in water, I apply dye powders directly onto the tied shirt, then cover with ice cubes.  As the cubes slowly dissolve, they gradually dissolve the dye powders.  Most dyes are made up of several different dye colors, so there is color separation as the item batches.  I love how they come out, but they do take a lot longer to batch so I don't do them as much.  But I love this latest batch, so may have to get some more going soon!  I got a shipment of rayon tunic blanks yesterday which are selling well at Sedona Artists' Market, so maybe I can get a bunch done before I go down next month.

So that's what I've been doing lately... how about  you?  Happy Thanksgiving to you all, and I'll see you soon!

Rag Dolls, Life, Pumpkins and soup!

 Good grief, this month has flown by!  I feel like I'm on fast forward, and in danger of flying off into space!

Recently, I got together with friends Cinde and Louise to have a polymer clay "play date".  Louise showed us how to create molds which will really help Cinde since she makes faces and other items for her beaded Tree Spirits and jewelry.  I was more interested in playing with making simple clay faces and heads for my tree spirits, so it truly was a play date for me.  Here are a few in progress:

Soon after, I made my first "Rag Doll" and used a face I made using the technique I used on the above faces - I really love how she came out, using sticks, strips of frayed fabric and the clay face:

I was happily churning out things in the studio but that came to a screeching halt a couple of weeks ago, when my husband had what I believe was a stroke!  After a quick assessment of his symptoms, I called for help and he was taken to the local ER where they gave him an anti-stroke infusion, then transferred him to ICU.  Thank goodness we got him in so quickly, because his symptoms were gone very soon, and I brought him home 3 days later.  He had another slight episode a week later and I took him back to the ER, but they released him in a few hours, so we're busy going to several follow-up visits, and having a few more tests done to see if he needs any further treatment.  He can't drive for now, so that adds a layer of activity to my days, and I'm getting him a medical alert device to keep him safe when I'm away from home, but I'm very relieved to see that he is feeling well... he's even allowing me to change his eating habits to get more veggies and whole grains in there to replace some of the (expletive) that he normally eats!  Sometimes it takes a jolt to get his attention, but I think this might have done the trick... fingers crossed!

So.... once things started to even out again, I found myself experimenting with a few new projects, including making fabric "scrappy balls" and pumpkins!  Here are a few:

It's too late in the season to make any of these for sale, but I'm having fun learning techniques, and may try to make something similar as Christmas ornaments.  

Lastly, no photos, but I've been cranking out a bunch soups - some for dinner, then leftovers for Bruce's lunches, and I'm making enough to freeze some for future lunches.  I'm working to add more veggies and whole grains to our diets, and we're both shaving off some pounds, so it's all good!  I love making soups and this is definitely the season, so it's a great time to try new ones and I'm getting lots of good use from our 34 year old crock pot too!  

Hope you're enjoying our most colorful season, and my very favorite!

 

Spirit of Autumn Solstice, stitch patterned tie-dye, mini weavings

 Yes, Autumn is here!  Cooler temperatures, soups on the stove, more blankets on the bed!  And some new things I've been working on in the studio.

Meet "Spirit of Autumn Solstice", my first standing Spirit Doll:

My friend Cinde gave me a wood pine round to see how it would work as a stand, and I'm delighted to say it worked just fine!  I cut a small length of narrow dowel and screwed it into the base after creating a recessed area for the dowel, then slid the dowel into the center of the doll's caftan behind the 'body' stick... perfect!  She is resting in the studio right now, waiting for my next trip to Sedona Artist Market to see if I can find room for her on my baker's rack.

Meanwhile, I've gotten back into stitch patterned tie-dye shirts.  I did one for a customer after Flagstaff Open Studios Tour, and loved it so much I decided that would be my main design for the fall and winter this year.  Here are a couple of examples:

These are really easy to do: spritz a shirt with water to dampen; use a fabric transfer pencil to draw curvy lines ( I usually alternate the wide and narrow curves to give it a fern-y look).  I use a large eye needle and dental tape to stitch a running stitch up the lines, then when they are all stitched, I pull the dental tape to gather the stitches snugly and tie - I purposely do even numbers of rows so I can tie 2 of the tapes together, then trim the excess tape, and repeat for the remaining rows.  Then I soda soak the garment, apply the dyes and batch.  Easy and I love how they come out!

Finally, I just finished 2 "Mini-weavings", using water color paper as my base, and diving into my sash of yarn scraps and twigs.

I intended to make this into a note card, but then I got the idea to see how it would look framed - as you can see, framed won!

I have some botanical prints that didn't come out good enough for cards, but decided the

one above (the blue paper) would work well as another background.  This one is framed 

without glass as it is a little 3D, and I wanted it to show up better.  

I think what I like about the Mini-weavings is they are a small project - one I could carry

with me to work on at Arts Connection when I'm working a shift, and they are finished

fairly quickly.  I'm sure there will be more of these coming, so stay tuned!

As a post script, I stopped at the local thrift shop today and found several frames I will use for

future mini-weavings, S C O R E!!!

Open Studios returns, Sedona sizzles, now what?

 

After having to cancel our annual Flagstaff Open Studios Tour last year, we were blessed to be able to have a successful event this year!  I was dismal at taking pictures - this one was taken by my friend Cinde Dalhover, who hosted the studio again this year.  We had 5 artists in total, and while the crowds weren't as heavy as in previous events, we had a good turnout and many of those who came also bought, and even placed custom orders!  Thanks to all who came out to support local art, it is greatly appreciated!

Meanwhile, down at Sedona Artists' Market, my summer rayon garments were flying off the rack - had my best sales to date, and I'm over the moon thrilled!  Time to dye, but I have to wait for the garments to be back at my suppliers - all their rayon comes from Indonesia and other Asian countries, and shipping is still backlogged... hope to get more this month, then I can build my inventory up again for the winter crowd!

On another note, I did finish another Spirit Doll last week - this is "Guardian of the Night":

She is clothed in silver lame' (I've had that fabric for over 30 years!), black tulle with stars, eyelash yarn, a polymer clay face, hand beaded crescent moon, feather and angelina fiber headdress, and a sequin and bead face embellishment.

She will join her sisters in Sedona as soon as there is a free space for her.

Meanwhile, back to Summer's end - our property is always covered with wild Coreopsis this time of year, which I recently had mowed (otherwise, the property looks like it's derelict!) but growing wild out back are some giant Sunflowers!  I got this photo yesterday - isn't it magnificent?

With only a few more days of Summer, the temperatures are starting to cool some - we have had the best Monsoon Season in years, breaking lots of records and bathing the entire state with much needed rains.  As the temps cool, my thoughts turn to soup making, so I am making a batch of Meatball Minestrone for dinner, with enough leftovers for tomorrow and probably a lunch as well!  

Enjoy the season, and if you are in Flagstaff, stop by Arts Connection at Flagstaff Mall!  In addition to our regular artists, we are hoping to have at least a small display later this month into October of Recycled Art created by members of the community!  Open Noon daily, and I hope to see you there!

Off Loom Weaving and other projects

 I recently created my second off loom weaving, using a foam board card as my loom. It was a little more difficult to use compared to a regular loom, so I bought an easel loom for future projects. But I do like how it turned out... love using a variety of yarns and wood to add texture and visual interest!

Right now, I'm busy building my inventory for our annual Flagstaff Open Studios tour scheduled for

Aug 28-29.  

This will be the 12th year I have done the tour, and always love seeing friends and shoppers, and visiting with some of my fellow artists.  This year, we will have 5 at my friend Cinde's house, so it should be a fun weekend.

 

I'm also continuing to create my spirit dolls, which seem to be selling well at Sedona Artists' Market... I was hoping they would!  Here is my latest, "Wild Child" who will be going there Friday with a few others I've blogged about in past posts:

So, what's next?  Well, a couple of years ago, I tried my hand at eco-printing... you can see my post about it here. 

 I made a bunch of cards, then tried several scarves, but as usual... moved on to other things, and haven't done anything else with it since 2019.  But recently, I was inspired to do some tea-dyeing after watching a great video on a tiktok post, and did a few tries with tea I rescued from tea bags... not great results.  But my friend Jana of Little Cabin Soaps is an avid tea drinker, and she has donated loose tea from a local shop that she had in her stash.  I did my first experiment with it yesterday, and got great colors, but not the great designs I saw on tiktok.  So I'm going to combine some of the loose tea with leaves from the yard and see how that works!  It involves clamping together a number of papers with leaves sandwiched in between, and steaming or boiling for a couple of hours, so I'm re-assembling my equipment and chemicals to do a batch this weekend.

But that's not all!  I watched another video that creates prints with leaves, AND adds some dye to the mix to give it more color, so that's on my list too!  

I will "show and tell" pix in my next post, so check back soon... I don't think I'll be able to wait long to share the results (if they come out!).  Meanwhile, hope you are enjoying your summer!  We've had a very good Monsoon season so far this year... lots of rain, even had a lightning strike nearby take down our internet for 3 days, but the moisture is so welcome!

Until next time, Happy August!

Summer: heat, rain and FOS preparations +++

 I swear, someone has set the clock and calendar ahead again... the time just whizzes by before I know it!  My last post was in May.... what happened to June?  And here we are nearing mid-July already!  I just re-read my last post... seems the pace has not slowed since then, but part of the reason is:  my Spirit Dolls have been selling at the Sedona Artist Market, woo-hoo!  I sold one in May, and I think 2 or 3 in June, and at least one so far this month!  So you  know I'm cranking more out as quickly as I can, especially since we are planning to resume our annual Flagstaff Open Studios Tour the end of August!  So there's that to get ready for, and keeping inventory ready to put in both galleries.  I think I will try to take a day or two off in September, lol!

In the garden, I have some basil, parsley, chives and tomatoes growing, and some nasturtiums are sprouting in planters on the deck.  My 2 geranium cuttings are doing well.  I had hoped to do a lot more planting this year, but it's still really hot most days... monsoons in the forecast for next week which will lower the temps, but it might be too late to get much going, so I think I'll focus on cleanup and maybe get a handyman to come do some maintenance work to spruce things up.

I promise to do better about posting more often, honest!  But for now, the housework needs to start, and I'm in production mode at least for the next month.  Stay cool, and I hope you enjoy the summer!

Going in all directions at once!

Good Grief!

Every once in awhile, I find myself going slightly crazy trying to do six or seven... or a dozen things at once!  It's like I get hit with a heavy downpour of creativity and I'm trying to juggle that with regular activities (laundry, meals, shopping, etc) and I start spinning out of control!  Well, that's what's been happening lately, and that's why it's been awhile since my last post.  

As mentioned a few posts back, I got back into making Spirit Dolls... the kind of project that I love because it's totally freeform with very few requirements:  sticks, scraps of fabric, yarn, ribbon, etc. And faces to give them personality.  It helps to have thread, glue, and a place to spread it all out so you can play.

Above, my work table with boho beads in progress

Got myself a new hot glue gun, and it's awesome!

A SMALL portion of my yarn stash... more in the closet!

My collection of wood - twigs, bark, branches

My current doll in progress

So I've been haunting Pinterest for quite awhile, looking for inspiration and ideas... always with questions unanswered and no  clue where to go for them.  Then I posted on a facebook group I belong to called Fiber Arts/ Mixed Media Art, asking if anyone made Spirit Dolls and if they knew of any groups that shared about them.  Nope, so you know what followed... I started my own group and let the Fiber Arts folks know, and now I have 61 members!  If you are on facebook and want to join (for those who haven't already) the group is called Spirit dolls and guides.  

So far, I've posted the names of a couple of books and a tutorial I have used as references.  And yesterday I found a great video tutorial on making Spirit Dolls, and another one on making Boho beads, which I love to use as embellishments.  And now I have a group of friends to schmooze with about making them, woo-hoo!

But that's not all I've been doing - one of my long time tie-dye customers has been buying clothing for me to dye for her and her husband, so that's on the "to do" list with more to come!

Here's a shot of one of the shirts in progress - I still have to overdye with black after tying into a pattern:

And there are 4 more after this, all with the rainbow/black combo... this gal loves color!

Other than that, I have some herb seedlings started in the patio room along with a geranium cutting that I rooted in water... projects galore waiting to be farmed out to handy workers - waiting for checks from the bank, then I can get those started.  Spring cleaning is underway... slowly, but surely!  So now you know why I haven't posted in awhile, but hopefully I will get back to a more regular schedule soon!

Happy Spring, all... and hope you're all well and happy!

What's new?

 Last Friday, my friend Cinde and I headed to Sedona - first for a lovely morning hike along Crescent Moon trail, following Oak Creek.  I only got one photo (which I can't find!) and a short video:

After we worked up an appetite, we headed to The Coffee Pot and feasted on some yummy mexican food for lunch, then headed over to Sedona Artist Market to replenish our inventory and tidy up.

My Spirit Dolls nestled into their new (hopefully temporary) home, waiting to be adopted.  A few bowls also filled some empty spots on the baker's rack:

Cinde also had some empty spots to fill with some of her new Tree Spirits.

I love the wall piece with the marvelous face in the second photo!

Then on Sunday, we were at Arts Connection at Flagstaff Mall, busy helping to put a fresh coat of paint on the walls!  

Co-manager Carol, painting the wall behind the counter

Cinde, with our other co-manager Catherine - Terre's Glass bird feeders hung in the background

A view from the front door... painting almost complete!

Artwork almost completely restored... 

My bowl display and wall art

And my clothing rack, along with mannequin display and my "Swirl" wall art.

To say I was tired yesterday after several hours back in the gallery to set up would be an understatement... we all were!  But I'm so glad we were able to get the job done, and look forward to spending time there in the coming months, admiring our handiwork and how much it enhances the art there!