tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70415920564677557452024-03-14T05:34:09.772-04:00FabricationsThe collage of my life:
A work in progress...Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.comBlogger503125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-61306970296765029612016-12-31T17:57:00.002-05:002016-12-31T17:57:48.252-05:00Year-End Wrap-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As the sun sets on this last day of 2016, which has passed more quickly than any year I can remember, I thought it would be a good idea to write one final blog entry. I've been having some computer issues that have made it difficult to keep up with the blog and I haven't written in months. I'm not sure how high a priority the blog will be for me in 2017, but I thought a year-end wrap up might be a nice way to finish off the year.<br />
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As you've probably guessed, life with three teenaged daughters, a husband who travels, and a high-energy over 30-hour-per week job leaves me with precious little energy and time for other things. I do still attend FANE meetings once a month and take part in most or all of their challenges. At the end of the summer, Jane challenged us to cover this building-shaped wood block any way we chose and had the group's completed edifices on display at an open studios day at The Nest in Bridgeport, CT. The theme was "home" and I decided to turn mine into a home for fish, an aquarium.<br />
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I drew a rough pattern of the block on paper and sketched out some elements. I wanted each side to have a focal point fishy character as well as some foreground plants. I also decided to try to make it look like the water was truly translucent and you could see through to the fish on the opposite side, by adding a lighter version of the fish in the opposing panel. For instance, here you can see a close-up version of the seahorse in panel 3, and a faded, faraway version of it on the opposite panel, #1.</div>
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I'm not sure this was totally successful, but here's my finished aquarium. It was challenging and fun, and was the last piece of fiber art I created in 2016!<br />
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One thing that kept me preoccupied this fall was sprucing up the house a bit. We'd become very overcluttered with things we didn't use or need anymore, so I took a lot of time going through drawers and closets and shelves and bins in the garage and attic to find stuff we could sell, donate, or just plain toss. In doing all this, I also realized how badly much of the interior could use a fresh coat of paint and some new carpeting, as well as having the pictures and photos updated.<br />
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One of the weekends my husband was away, I spackled, sanded, and painted the long hallway towards the bedrooms as well as the high-ceilinged entryway. When I was finished, I hung a lot of my art work gallery-style down the hall. It looks clean and colorful now and I'm happy with the way the pieces look hung together.<br />
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On the opposite side of the hall, I took down old baby pictures of the girls and hung these more recent photos. The matching black frames make everything look cleaner and neater. We still need one more family photo for the center frame. That should be my first goal of the new year!<br />
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Downstairs in the family room there were also lots of old photos and unimportant knick-knacks. I weeded through them and replaced many photos with some of my favorites from the last few years.<br />
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I also started working on the far wall, which had gotten very messy. We installed some shelves so I could get the photo albums out of the garage and I also had some of my favorite vacation photos printed on canvas at CVS. One of them is the sunset photo of a bridge over the Arno in Florence in the lower right of the photo. This wall still needs more work, as you can see - goal #2 of the new year!<br />
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Then the holidays hit, and things got very busy, of course. I managed to get my cards mailed and many cookies and sweets baked, as well as decorations up. We had an especially lovely Christmas season this year, beginning right after Thanksgiving with a visit from my in-laws which included a trip to the Danbury Railway museum, lunch at the Cheesecake factory, and another outing to the Culinary Institute of America with a tour and another lunch out.<br />
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I had many visits with good friends and neighbors, but the highlight of the season was really Christmas day when both of my brothers and their families as well as my parents were able to be here. It's the first time I remember us being together on Christmas Day in several years.<br />
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So now the centerpiece flowers are starting to fade and the clock is ticking slowly closer and closer to midnight. I'll remember 2016 as the year my DH's job got bought out by a Canadian company and he started traveling again, and I consequently took on a lot more of the home upkeep, including mowing the lawn, doing fall clean-up and painting the hall. I'll also remember our trip to Charleston, SC, Chelsea's graduation, and she and Sarah both starting school full-time. I'll remember it being the year I began leading the Light Bite Book Club at work and reading so much more adult literature. And I'll remember this very lovely Christmas season.<br />
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In the new year, I hope to begin some new ventures. I have the beginnings of what I think could be a fun novel, and I'd like to focus a good chunk of my creative time and energy writing this year. I may have to squeeze it in first thing in the morning, before I get too busy and too tired to write during the day or in the evening. I wonder if I have the self discipline to do it! I also started at a new fitness club over the summer and I hope to continue getting stronger and eating more healthfully in 2017. So even as the Christmas flowers are fading, the Amaryllis bulb is beginning to grow, reminding us that the new year is a fresh start, to make the most of each day, and that spring is right around the corner.<br />
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Happy, healthy New Year to everyone!</div>
Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-39172801634346434402016-08-22T22:37:00.000-04:002016-08-22T22:37:43.525-04:00Filling the Well<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday I was fortunate to have a good reason to wander around one of my favorite museums, the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I haven't been in a few years, but my daughter has a summer art assignment, so we spent the afternoon among all the awe-inspiring works. I saw some things I don't remember seeing before, and visited some of my old favorites.</div>
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Among these were the European sculptures and paintings. When you head to that wing, you walk through the hallway with all the Rodin sculptures. This one, depicting Adam after the fall, is so powerful in it's tormented strength, agony, and despair. </div>
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After being amazed by the emotions expressed by Rodin in bronze, I headed into the Impressionist rooms and absorbed the grace and peacefulness of the Monets, relaxing into the soft reflections and soothing pastels.</div>
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Then I was uplifted by the playfulness and beauty of the Renoirs and Degas.</div>
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Finally, I stood rapt in front of the van Goghs. The intensity and passion behind those thousands of flickering brushstrokes make his paintings almost shimmer. It's hard to tell in these photos, but the skies and backgrounds are filled with dashed swirling brushstrokes that make the paintings come alive. I'm more astounded every time I see them. His subject matter is often so ordinary - a cypress tree, two browned and drying sunflower heads, a pair of old, worn shoes. But they're treated with such love and care that they become extraordinary through the filter of his brush and paint.<br />
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This one below was my favorite this time. Again, such simple subject matter - an ordinary family, a farmer at work in the garden in spring, a child taking her first steps. The passion and emotion expressed in the father's open arms, the child's delight in this great accomplishment, the beauty of the light shimmering on the trees and making their cottage glow. All of this conveyed without facial expressions but with simple gestures and postures and the soft dreamlike colors. Just breathtaking.<br />
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After being sufficiently awed by van Gogh, I headed down to see some American art. I was particularly interested in seeing the collection of Tiffany glass after having just read <u>Clara and Mr. Tiffany</u> by Susan Vreeland. This historical fiction novel is the story of Clara Driscoll and her female coworkers who worked in a division of Tiffany studios, designing and creating many of the extraordinary windows and lamps but never given much credit. <br />
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The windows are displayed beautifully, lighted from behind, and it was great to get close up to see all the different types of glass used. Tiffany had a glass factory in Queens, NY, where large sheets of glass were made in different colors and special effects were achieved by mixing and swirling colors, make some with striations, swirls, blotches, and other textures to resemble tree bark, water, rocks, and mountains. Sometimes pieces of glass were layered to get just the right effect.<br />
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According to the book, Clara Driscoll came up for the idea to make lampshades out of stained glass. Nature was a huge source of inspiration for her and she made lamps with dragonflies, butterflies, and a variety of flowers. This is her water lily lamp, with the stems cascading down into a froth of blossoms that seems to float at the bottom. Having an irregular edge like that was very time consuming to create. And the bases were sculptures in themselves to coordinate with the theme of the shade - this one depicts lily pads. Brilliant!<br />
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Here's another window, with iris and flowering dogwoods. Spectacular!<br />
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Tiffany also had men who created fantastic vases and goblets by blowing colored glass. This one is called the Peacock vase because of the feather motif on the fan-like top of the vase (it's difficult to see in this photo, because it was lit from behind and you're not allowed to use a flash). It's amazing to think that the artist started with a lump of hot colored glass and was able to achieve those very fine feathery lines to resemble a peacock feather and work it into such a graceful, delicate shape. And it's all attributed to Louis Comfort Tiffany, although he wasn't really the one doing the work!</div>
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One part of the museum that I visited for the first time was the furnishings of the American wing. I wandered through rooms and rooms decorated in various styles depicting different time periods, from early colonial up through the civil war and into the 20th century. Much of it was very ornate and heavy, with velvet and lace draperies, dark, heavy carved furniture upholstered in dark velvets. It seemed very stuffy and uncomfortable to me. Then I came upon the Frank Lloyd Wright room.</div>
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I never really understood the appeal of all those straight lines and spare furnishings until I saw it in comparison to the clutter of the previous rooms. It literally seemed like a breath of fresh air, with the clear light coming through the many windows, the use of natural stone and warm (but not dark) wood. Now I get it!<br />
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So now that I've filled my creative well, I've made some good progress on my own simple art. I've selected all the book parts, decided on their placement, and glued or fused them all down. I've even done a bit of hand stitching. I like that the piece is made up of squares and rectangles, which references a quilt, although I've used paper. It looks very architectural, and as I was working on it, I felt like I was building it, using the rectangular spines as columns and text pages as blocks. I've stitched some lines to indicate windowpanes and the door is the hard cover of an old Reader's Digest Anthology titled "Getting the Most Out of Life." The steps leading up to the door are titled "Making a Habit of Success" and "Improving Your IQ."<br />
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I made a point of selecting titles, words, and a few images that depict the importance and value of the written word, storytelling, libraries, and their importance in a democratic society. Here are a couple of close-up shots of the stitching and some of the textual details.<br />
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I think I'll need to pick up some more pearl cotton in bright colors to hold all the pieces firmly in place and highlight certain things. I figure I'll keep stitching until I think it's done or until September 8th, whichever comes first!</div>
Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-77709413098264040892016-08-14T15:08:00.000-04:002016-08-14T15:08:14.826-04:00Dog Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Are you keeping cool? It's tempting to just stay indoors in the AC but Cassie and I still venture down to the garden a couple of times a day to pull a few weeds, enjoy the view, and contemplate the miracle of a flower. It's nice and shady down there early and late, although since we took down that huge oak in the spring, there's been several hours of direct sunlight in the afternoon, allowing for the waterlily and trumpet vine to finally produce some flowers. Hooray! All that hard work and expense paid off in blossoms.</div>
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Cassie likes to gaze into the pond for another reason too: the frogs. This week, there are two rather small ones, but they're fast. She likes to watch them float up to the surface, then she puts her nose almost on top of them, and they zoom away. Then the process starts all over again. Can you see the little guy's head sticking up out of the water?</div>
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And aren't those waterlilies breathtaking? I just love the layers of arrow-shaped petals tinged with pink and the bright yellow center - just gorgeous!</div>
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You're probably wondering what else I've been doing for the past two months, besides admiring the flowers. I have to admit, I have been doing a lot of gardening and other yard work, especially when the weather is not too hot. Our yard has several huge challenges: the slope of the land, very poor clayey soil, and deep shade behind the house. In the last few years, my DH has been driving his little ATV up and down the hill (it was a huge help when we were putting in the garden three years ago) and that has eroded the soil on the sloping path from front to back. Last summer he spent a lot of time and effort trying to dig "French" drains, but I'm not sure they're working as well as we hoped. I'm furiously planting english ivy and spreading pachysandra in an effort to slow things down in the planted spaces, but the path has been quite an ongoing challenge.<br />
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Our front yard also has some challenges. We had a trampoline here for a year or two (because it's almost the only somewhat flat spot) and that caused part of the grass to die off. Rather than replace it, we decided to expand the front foundation garden, which was overcrowded anyway. So late this spring, we defined the area with edging, and moved some of the smaller bushes out. I scattered some seeds that my daughter picked up and I put in some marigolds and salvia to help get us through the rest of the summer. We'd eventually like to put in a small flagstone patio area, just enough for a small table and two chairs, so we can sit out here on in the sun on warmer afternoons in the spring and fall. And then I'd love to fill it with perennials, like an old fashioned country garden. The front gets a good deal of sun so we can actually plant dahlias, hollyhocks, sunflowers, and all kinds of colorful, tall bloomers! Next year...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQh0rWMA54lcxDtqUY2G1f71poYAiSc2UJ6WM-iz0d7BCtdhLQ7-rXKXLBtqAXSzE0WHai6L3jb5dLHzb90oqCRT2h1msb7nnGz_yDLB8d85PSGrdUMmg9F3CbeTamo8PHFWEU-XYT-Xr/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQh0rWMA54lcxDtqUY2G1f71poYAiSc2UJ6WM-iz0d7BCtdhLQ7-rXKXLBtqAXSzE0WHai6L3jb5dLHzb90oqCRT2h1msb7nnGz_yDLB8d85PSGrdUMmg9F3CbeTamo8PHFWEU-XYT-Xr/s400/IMG_0018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And of course, the summer is also the busiest time of year for the Youth Services dept. of the library. I worked four days a week for the last 6 weeks and when I got home, I often just wanted to sit and chill out with a cold drink and a good book. And of course, my DH has been traveling again, which leaves me in charge of our 3 lovelies. They're pretty self-sufficient at this point, but still need a parent around. I've been doing quite a bit of reading as well, now that I'm leading one of the adult book discussion groups. Among my favorites this summer were <u>Clara and Mr.Tiffany</u> by Susan Vreeland, <u>The Guest Room</u> by Chris Bohjalian, and <u>The Girl on the Train </u>by Paula Hawkins (which will be released in the movies in October). Looking forward to that!<br />
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And yes, I have been puttering around my art table now and then, but not as much as I'd like. Norma guessed correctly when she said my plan is to make a library. All summer, I've been collecting discarded books and their jackets and cutting them up for collage. I'm making progress, but it's slow, and I think I'll still need more. Luckily, titles cannot be copyrighted, and I'm using mostly the book spines and trying to choose texts that are old enough to be in the public domain. I'm considering adding some color with paint and stitch, after everything is glued down. It's very slow going. Our deadline is Sept. 8th, so I still have a few weeks. Now that work isn't as hectic, I hope I'll have more energy to continue working in the evenings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4HieGyfdGWdaJHQcFeFEvLPYE_dPh4lPC0aietXRH_oqIg26VLQRs1s37jXjO-KtuSAnPB5_7wgyIkr0eF80OseWqVcSmhjgjx2aRP87VLbMXBGWr1qxxuIYtfnIZNUtROCzTyXDzvj0/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4HieGyfdGWdaJHQcFeFEvLPYE_dPh4lPC0aietXRH_oqIg26VLQRs1s37jXjO-KtuSAnPB5_7wgyIkr0eF80OseWqVcSmhjgjx2aRP87VLbMXBGWr1qxxuIYtfnIZNUtROCzTyXDzvj0/s400/IMG_0010.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-43106481646281208382016-05-30T22:33:00.000-04:002016-05-30T22:33:10.813-04:00Sewing Again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since my last post, I actually started two new sewing projects, one of which is completely finished! We have a window seat in the lower level of the house which looks out on the deck, backyard, and lake. We've never bothered to get a cushion for it, but recently my daughter suggested it. I remembered that I bought that cool burlap print last spring, and I loved the way it looked with the pale green and yellow walls we have downstairs, so I decided to use that for a seat cover. I measured everything out and took a trip to JoAnn's Fabrics for all the supplies. Even with my coupons, it was a bit pricey (that cushion foam is expensive!) but I like the finished look. So do the cats! (and the girls, who can now sit there and look out the window and daydream, or watch the birds). It's a cozy spot, especially in the morning when the sun comes through.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2i35j6Kna_-FSe26l8oRUP1MrOWlQkOWP_dyxzWm5ZBD6HvaGK6QJsTtLZhY8XZjPl2Gc6cjjGHFmswC5OcJ-UFhN9N9IjpE_lqgx1Ijc6TmPE4KnPXwOGahJK7kup42Rw9ypxjaC_PL/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2i35j6Kna_-FSe26l8oRUP1MrOWlQkOWP_dyxzWm5ZBD6HvaGK6QJsTtLZhY8XZjPl2Gc6cjjGHFmswC5OcJ-UFhN9N9IjpE_lqgx1Ijc6TmPE4KnPXwOGahJK7kup42Rw9ypxjaC_PL/s400/IMG_0072.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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While I was at JoAnn's, I also picked up these fabrics, below. Even though our Fiber Fall chains were exhibited at the NSQG show in early May, we have the opportunity to exhibit these three or four other places in the next year, so I thought it would be worth completing all the elements. The last chain would be "fire," hence the shiny orange, red, and yellow choices.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYtm7NcQ_bpt4Z0ocdtpW7VmnhbFsZhBYlfv_kVSR1G_xTT79i8sFzIoba1SWUWGz9rkcsP1KHDSaIcTjVsVEbl1ZGWT2pOdrjk1chMeAcOs3TDcfriTdgibn_AW4bVEUztQICzvaR1oU/s1600/IMG_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYtm7NcQ_bpt4Z0ocdtpW7VmnhbFsZhBYlfv_kVSR1G_xTT79i8sFzIoba1SWUWGz9rkcsP1KHDSaIcTjVsVEbl1ZGWT2pOdrjk1chMeAcOs3TDcfriTdgibn_AW4bVEUztQICzvaR1oU/s400/IMG_0075.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I decided to make a new fabric out of these three, and to use the burnt orange sheer with the sequins as the outside portions of a sandwich. Inside the sandwich, I layered wavy strips of the other two fabrics, plus a sheer red paper-like material that was wrapped around my Valentine's Day flowers. I used a fusible webbing between the layers to hold everything together, pressed it, and then stitched with black thread in wavy lines. Here's what the fabric looks like now:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHX1VF7JIIyT9P2QVwHuWOwrj3DtiQE1WRY59u-5nCwCTWLFZ1lS4R-JqwzAKIelX8ICj3nQ2PG6gGZ3hOE4c2EKs_GOWC5hhwRW0QkcgIB8xiOM-Vhm0GE2fbvA5JeZYQpBkFYF9GHzN/s1600/IMG_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHX1VF7JIIyT9P2QVwHuWOwrj3DtiQE1WRY59u-5nCwCTWLFZ1lS4R-JqwzAKIelX8ICj3nQ2PG6gGZ3hOE4c2EKs_GOWC5hhwRW0QkcgIB8xiOM-Vhm0GE2fbvA5JeZYQpBkFYF9GHzN/s400/IMG_0150.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And here's a close-up:<br />
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Certainly looks like fire, right? And it's still pretty sheer, to suggest flames even more. I still want to do some more stitching with orange thread. Then I plan to cut it up into asymmetric triangles to resemble flames. I'm hoping it will have a real flame-like effect with all the triangles strung and spinning as they hang. I hope <span style="text-align: center;">I can have some of the triangles cut up and strung by our next FANE meeting this Thursday evening.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Our next FANE challenge (due in August) is to create a flat fiber art building that is 12-18" wide and 36" tall or taller. The roofline can be whatever shape we choose to give our building character. I already have an idea of what I'd like to create so I've started collecting materials. Here they are, below:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMmDG5Gt-aSwcux6OvLaC3COHiQPcGd5Si9cPhmSNSzxFiPWgtYN89_R2IcMaZICZ4scA4XKcsVdLSQh6vTav6u4qpKizb5FrAhFMkWvoSADvKPqGrX9Cpjpm8DTxStw2s_0r5dOR2j96/s1600/IMG_0152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMmDG5Gt-aSwcux6OvLaC3COHiQPcGd5Si9cPhmSNSzxFiPWgtYN89_R2IcMaZICZ4scA4XKcsVdLSQh6vTav6u4qpKizb5FrAhFMkWvoSADvKPqGrX9Cpjpm8DTxStw2s_0r5dOR2j96/s400/IMG_0152.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Can you tell what these are and guess what type of building I want to make? I hope I can pull it off....</div>
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Stay tuned to find out!</div>
Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-29818496737489326892016-05-15T21:08:00.000-04:002016-05-15T21:08:05.147-04:00How Do I Begin...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...to catch up on the last six weeks? It's hard to believe that much time has passed since my last blog post! I haven't been sick or away on an extended vacation - just trying to juggle it all and getting a little lax about posting (okay, maybe a lot lax!). So I'll try to catch up as succinctly as possible.</div>
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I'll start with the "Lace" show that was in the gallery for the month of April at the <a href="http://www.mahopaclibrary.org/" target="_blank">Mahopac Public Library</a>. Three of my FANE friends participated in the show, as did I. I only took a couple of shots of the pieces, but here they are. In this one, you can see two of the three pieces that <a href="http://gailellspermann.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gail Ellspermann</a> submitted, the blue lacy one on the left and the one on the left in the group of three. I wish I had taken some close-ups, as her work is visually very interesting and detailed, made up of a variety of materials and colors. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGf64tBEAexUePNKja6Jey793JmscztfGBkO3FP6MmOQ2pPyISmbC-YZXMX2qNtk9Prz6k4KHGFWkp0cQa-QY_c_XJsR78DowhkbccwM_86RuiybWU7yqAfHdRVD8obXpY9umrJ-UJzoC/s1600/20160404_130025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGf64tBEAexUePNKja6Jey793JmscztfGBkO3FP6MmOQ2pPyISmbC-YZXMX2qNtk9Prz6k4KHGFWkp0cQa-QY_c_XJsR78DowhkbccwM_86RuiybWU7yqAfHdRVD8obXpY9umrJ-UJzoC/s400/20160404_130025.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Below is my piece which I ended up calling "East-facing window: February morning." I was trying to capture those winter mornings from my childhood when the window would be decorated with frost crystals and the beams of sunlight streaming through produced sparkles and a pale rainbow of colors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQISkYjln_jlZf8E3wmif4rpK-GOzHKnOb7Mxv6De733PbhnTY7bDE3Rp4Yiwfh1Tf4FBiBMn6LZYN3TzzuOJq36kI_mqU5chcIiBG9Q5ojdVNSAYloBS83SCWWr4ZgxGRojqE_-Jb-Sb/s1600/20160404_130012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQISkYjln_jlZf8E3wmif4rpK-GOzHKnOb7Mxv6De733PbhnTY7bDE3Rp4Yiwfh1Tf4FBiBMn6LZYN3TzzuOJq36kI_mqU5chcIiBG9Q5ojdVNSAYloBS83SCWWr4ZgxGRojqE_-Jb-Sb/s320/20160404_130012.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
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At the end of the month, FANE displayed our collection of Fiberfall pieces at the NSQG's annual quilt extravaganza. I wasn't able to get over to Western Connecticut State Univ. to see the show this year (I worked that Saturday and had other obligations on Sunday) but Norma Schlager took some fabulous photos that she posted on her blog. Please visit by clicking <a href="http://notesfromnorma.blogspot.com/2016/05/nsqg-show.html" target="_blank">here</a> to see the dramatic impact of our group display.<br />
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Since the fall, FANE members have been researching and sharing bios of modern artists at our monthly meetings to help us expand our horizons, gain some insight and maybe even some inspiration. I was assigned Josef Albers and at the May meeting, I took an easy approach by reading the children's picture biography about him titled <u>An Eye for Color</u> by Natasha Wing. Josef studied how our perception of a color may change depending on what other colors surround it. He published a book about his findings titled <u>Interaction of Color</u> in 1963. Using the example shown below on the cover of his book, the small tan square is the exact same shade of tan, but it looks different on the aqua background on the top than it does on the orange background below. Josef also noted how dark colors tend to recede while lighter ones tend to come forward.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZRgFYPkLy65yDM3wLhFvUl5dap2_Vsil0cMAqS7ctyu3UBKMno3xieiboJQzXuFmOEkPogc7zVIfvsI7se8CQyD6iQYDmOeRtAZinR9pgbqnWsXcKLbDJceVOo6UHvZboSRenCHizpAK/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZRgFYPkLy65yDM3wLhFvUl5dap2_Vsil0cMAqS7ctyu3UBKMno3xieiboJQzXuFmOEkPogc7zVIfvsI7se8CQyD6iQYDmOeRtAZinR9pgbqnWsXcKLbDJceVOo6UHvZboSRenCHizpAK/s400/IMG_0069.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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As part of our study, we could create something in the style of the artist, so I made this group of squares below. Josef Albers worked almost exclusively with squares and rectangles and paint straight out of the tube. I tried to keep things simple and fun by placing orange polka-dot squares on four different fabrics. As fiber artists and quilters, we have the added dimension of fabric prints and texture. Do the orange squares look different on the different backgrounds? Which do you prefer?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66__fT2W4zG2XnjuswZ9VpoYnyRUCk862mKmeukNfsGbflfaP_TenRHBb6JHCALAJDFss97eOd9TtBozK5RsZluyVnzxkD0szcLjb11iY31NSszKtj1hd1zg1YXeeBe_8jzyLYIBZj6Dx/s1600/IMG_0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66__fT2W4zG2XnjuswZ9VpoYnyRUCk862mKmeukNfsGbflfaP_TenRHBb6JHCALAJDFss97eOd9TtBozK5RsZluyVnzxkD0szcLjb11iY31NSszKtj1hd1zg1YXeeBe_8jzyLYIBZj6Dx/s320/IMG_0068.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
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Another thing that has kept me busy this month has been the garden. Now that the weather is better, I like to get outside as much as possible. We took down a large oak tree in the backyard to let more light in, and now we have a lot of wood and branches to remove! The people we hired to take the tree down piled everything very neatly, but right where my ferns will be growing, at the bottom of the new stone steps. You can see the many logs piled up along the property line in the background - some of those are about 2 feet in diameter - it was a BIG tree! They need to be split before they can even be moved. Someone will be very busy for the next few weekends....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6e5UEG5LZFBvg0L8n0TlDw0EVp-_Zh1VQ3VFy7CbyIcC7CDAcsmw2QZeCdJxYHNr2UiYsu6Y_jFC0ZhCjg4w4HFoVmhktY-RujFNZjf7JbB0B5Yonf41XvGWbYoF70wDqOpCQ6A_rB_7J/s1600/garden1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6e5UEG5LZFBvg0L8n0TlDw0EVp-_Zh1VQ3VFy7CbyIcC7CDAcsmw2QZeCdJxYHNr2UiYsu6Y_jFC0ZhCjg4w4HFoVmhktY-RujFNZjf7JbB0B5Yonf41XvGWbYoF70wDqOpCQ6A_rB_7J/s400/garden1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's very exciting to see things turning green, blooming, spreading, and growing. Last year I only had a few tiny blossoms on this forget-me-not, but this year it looks full and healthy. Yay! I also moved some of my large irises from the front of the house down here around the pond. I hope they do well here.<br />
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And the fairy garden is looking good too! The Irish moss, sweet woodruff, wild violets and other low-growing things are all spreading around and filling in. It's beginning to look truly enchanted!<br />
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Cassie certainly enjoys hanging out in the garden with me while I putter around. It's a very pleasant and peaceful place to be.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7R4ZUw7rrHhJ3jAfv8nvJGgN5NXnLRQo5tiU7VqMWoz32-PyPWLrE6bn9qLN2WPMFdDCIYOICroDR2dzq72h0V1Gddhc2hoRgTv5RO8UPc4N428-rVh4VyUYse3hhkzif894cFH3MFcv/s1600/garden2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7R4ZUw7rrHhJ3jAfv8nvJGgN5NXnLRQo5tiU7VqMWoz32-PyPWLrE6bn9qLN2WPMFdDCIYOICroDR2dzq72h0V1Gddhc2hoRgTv5RO8UPc4N428-rVh4VyUYse3hhkzif894cFH3MFcv/s400/garden2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And although we removed a perfectly healthy tree and we have a huge amount of wood to move, it has opened up a nice big piece of sky above the garden. I'm looking forward to seeing everything thrive now that the plants will be getting a better dose of afternoon sunshine!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxtec8kMdrxWwuE1qr1X1QXcxk-nAJ74hcpLrLS6SGzfNTTyOUPItjfTus4dqElFSl0xRrkJ1-VFnZPYs0Y_DegdUPaXYk0F0aiMN1MWWokTk96TJMLTJ3_QVNbaeyDVWizhXwyMC9eql/s1600/garden6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxtec8kMdrxWwuE1qr1X1QXcxk-nAJ74hcpLrLS6SGzfNTTyOUPItjfTus4dqElFSl0xRrkJ1-VFnZPYs0Y_DegdUPaXYk0F0aiMN1MWWokTk96TJMLTJ3_QVNbaeyDVWizhXwyMC9eql/s400/garden6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Finally, I've been busy doing some spring cleaning and organizing. This area under our stairs was originally a small mud room, when the girls were little and we parked the car in the garage and came and went through that door. Then, it became our rabbit habitat for about a year. When we could no longer tolerate the mess (and the smell!) we moved the rabbits outside and reclaimed this space. We hung coats here but never bothered putting in a shoe rack or shelves.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesyWqAQDu-_UsRDeI3aDIMVbo1x7v1OVSoFwU9cC2eu-K-WyrKLmqJ_sXEsiNZWSGuS_IdzhMIX8KPYGSZ74OzqI9rXuThVsIzJzWB80HUKE2TLEsjpzg_XSqegGVKmbBEz1z6GToT_lI/s1600/IMG_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesyWqAQDu-_UsRDeI3aDIMVbo1x7v1OVSoFwU9cC2eu-K-WyrKLmqJ_sXEsiNZWSGuS_IdzhMIX8KPYGSZ74OzqI9rXuThVsIzJzWB80HUKE2TLEsjpzg_XSqegGVKmbBEz1z6GToT_lI/s320/IMG_0070.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Well, I finally took the time to pick up a couple of shoe shelves at Bed Bath and Beyond. They were easy to put together, hold a ton of shoes, and can be moved easily if my DH needs to get back there to change the water filter. What a huge improvement! Why didn't I do this sooner? Now I just have to pack up those winter coats....<br />
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Hope you've been busy enjoying life in the spring! Leave me a comment and let me know what you've been up to!Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-29571805224734665672016-04-01T07:49:00.001-04:002016-04-07T16:14:49.677-04:00Emerging<br />
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It's hard to believe April is here already! Where did the month of March go? I was a bit under the weather the entire month, coming down with the flu early in the month, then fighting that lingering cough, which eventually became pneumonia last week. I'm finally getting my energy back and have caught up on most everything around the house (with the help of all my wonderful family) so now it's time to catch up on the blog!</div>
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Even though I was not very energetic last month, I did manage to finish my final "Fiber Fall" chain, this one with the Earth theme. A portion of it is laid out on my worktable below.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjZe-MrHoAUwVgcQsT1buFgXvzAol4jkvMf0mddLch-Y9DPERJiTZsHz9o9nD7Y_AagEpVjwv4MmVIzd1g02S39RizK0rVLsgFVQUB5wO1-iGgOQ2x1zzp_YFmBFqWQQpjGrNG9SywHuL/s1600/IMG_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjZe-MrHoAUwVgcQsT1buFgXvzAol4jkvMf0mddLch-Y9DPERJiTZsHz9o9nD7Y_AagEpVjwv4MmVIzd1g02S39RizK0rVLsgFVQUB5wO1-iGgOQ2x1zzp_YFmBFqWQQpjGrNG9SywHuL/s400/IMG_0039.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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Something put it into my head that I should add a little hand stitching to these, so before I strung them together, I added some detail with pearl cotton. I didn't embellish every rectangle, but I did do quite a few. It added a little more textural interest and kept my hands busy while I was on the mend. These will be hanging in the NSQG spring show early next month, along with all the others made by my fellow FANErs. I'm excited to see them all hanging together.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKI8yNm-V0uqYOUFnvrFJ8mYhqi1ocpPqlUurNMwaxq0ybQf4B9XrzhZWFh39cYpGS3n5gCuUiBTNQ1Mm6QbZKT5UOwrlUi9ioFqBaEZynHyopq9HfUo6rT-2JbKL4Pjx45tEzwEJKK4kx/s1600/IMG_0040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKI8yNm-V0uqYOUFnvrFJ8mYhqi1ocpPqlUurNMwaxq0ybQf4B9XrzhZWFh39cYpGS3n5gCuUiBTNQ1Mm6QbZKT5UOwrlUi9ioFqBaEZynHyopq9HfUo6rT-2JbKL4Pjx45tEzwEJKK4kx/s320/IMG_0040.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Of course, another great thing to do when you're lying in bed not feeling well is READ and I certainly did my share of that last month! Some of my favorites were <u>The Boys in the Boat</u> by Daniel James Brown (a fabulous non-fiction choice), <u>The Cuckoo's Calling</u> by Robert Galbraith (a mystery by J.K. Rowling under a pseudonym), <u>The Magician's Lie</u> by Greer Macallister, <u>Garden Spells</u> by Sarah Addison Allen, and <u>The Hired Girl</u>, a fabulous YA novel by Laura Amy Schlitz. I also read <u>Where'd you go, Bernadette?</u> by Maria Semple for the Light Bite book club that I lead at the Mahopac Library, and I just started <u>The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend</u> by Katarina Bivald. So I kept busy while I was resting!<br />
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And now spring is here and I'm anxious to get outside in the garden again. We've had a few mild days here and there and I was so thrilled to see snowdrops, crocuses, and these little purple star-shaped flowers. I transplanted them all last spring and it was lovely seeing my efforts yield some beautiful blooms! These little purple things (don't remember what they are- will have to look them up) are all over the front lawn and I hope will spread as much down in the back.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrb2yW0Xy2cUEj806wQ7HREDDUxumBA-9dWzQvYpVGcFOqV9necMbI0yYyXonIVf91DCtUs5Ctzti1OKKYFWJb_SktVSU1BP4x7SKTrwVwAoYt6ZIBfnY0iMs7YRLYzmc2ppjdN05efYF/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrb2yW0Xy2cUEj806wQ7HREDDUxumBA-9dWzQvYpVGcFOqV9necMbI0yYyXonIVf91DCtUs5Ctzti1OKKYFWJb_SktVSU1BP4x7SKTrwVwAoYt6ZIBfnY0iMs7YRLYzmc2ppjdN05efYF/s400/IMG_0032.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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As happy as I was to see things emerging and growing, I also see lots of things that need work. We had a couple of days of heavy rain in February and March that resulted in lots of silt washing over the pebble path as you can see below. I'll have to see if I can clean it up a bit one of these days.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwP8l8fcvRfJzCYwIDGFqO8jbhsj5pa6h4diOaEfjHNukeNpJGNuMhJempy2tUHHSdTleIxK3kLS1pEXhYNkdw02SoduVUD-xmXiXdSulojWW_VxiaonsNvNDKm_l11jD8arlaqxclL1Vh/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwP8l8fcvRfJzCYwIDGFqO8jbhsj5pa6h4diOaEfjHNukeNpJGNuMhJempy2tUHHSdTleIxK3kLS1pEXhYNkdw02SoduVUD-xmXiXdSulojWW_VxiaonsNvNDKm_l11jD8arlaqxclL1Vh/s400/IMG_0035.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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Also we've had a shade problem in our backyard almost since we moved in, and that was twenty years ago! There are so many tall trees we could take down to give the area more light, but it's outrageously expensive, as well as disruptive to the lawn and garden. I've singled out this one very large oak that would give us the most bang for our buck and that will probably be coming down sometime this month, before it leafs out. I'm looking forward to getting some much-needed light back there (but heaven knows how we'll deal with all the branches. We have neighbors that will take the larger pieces to burn as firewood but the tree guy said the piles of branches will fill the yard if we don't chip them!).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_dyZk5jxenI2nBUpxJDkWrdlD3iIWyZpxQhxsXErs0LIQSk-TZoD5VbPDoqov87THPB1lmyUp8OGDqyyiHQbHFqBYxEPwG-oXf2dfIkros2_nKHjc1zbuOhLUc-9VPGJIQwyt-lj5mYt/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_dyZk5jxenI2nBUpxJDkWrdlD3iIWyZpxQhxsXErs0LIQSk-TZoD5VbPDoqov87THPB1lmyUp8OGDqyyiHQbHFqBYxEPwG-oXf2dfIkros2_nKHjc1zbuOhLUc-9VPGJIQwyt-lj5mYt/s400/IMG_0037.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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In addition to that, I want to finally finish the stone steps we started last year. We've been scrounging the yard for large flat stones that will work as steps and have finally located another 3 or 4 that should bring us up to the top. That'll be nice to have done!<br />
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So we've certainly got our work cut out for us as far as the yard and garden go... I think I could keep a full-time gardener quite busy! But after the weekend, the weather here is supposed to get chilly again, so I'll refocus on interior things a bit longer.<br />
<br />Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-58758571688848635442016-02-27T17:13:00.000-05:002016-02-27T17:13:58.548-05:00Onward to "Earth"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlL8OOzcGhGcHhY1QgGeMJLZ2c42NrUX7TjI38SRR1OyAeIY-UA7a-zHQUpZz3NSJvhfFggboUf-UdO3b0j9qj9M-wnP2-qx0Y17aK9dTKQoG0lHKAyzM5jJiZRJY6l2ZEvbLNZmR32D_s/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlL8OOzcGhGcHhY1QgGeMJLZ2c42NrUX7TjI38SRR1OyAeIY-UA7a-zHQUpZz3NSJvhfFggboUf-UdO3b0j9qj9M-wnP2-qx0Y17aK9dTKQoG0lHKAyzM5jJiZRJY6l2ZEvbLNZmR32D_s/s400/IMG_0005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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One of the big challenges of these "Fiber Fall" chains has been to create pieces that won't flop over as they hang. The other big challenge is how to do these kind of quickly, in batches, rather than creating each shape individually. I thought I might use paper for the backing of the earth-themed chain, but didn't find anything in my stash that really appealed to me. I even considered printing photos on cardstock, but decided against that. I thought about using copper wire mesh, which would look really cool on the back, but I didn't have enough in my stash and I wasn't sure I wanted to invest a somewhat pricey commodity for the back of this piece. </div>
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So I found this white fabric mesh, above, which I've used in many winter pieces, and painted a sizable piece with copper metallic acrylic paint. It imparts a nice sheen as well as stiffening the fabric. So that's what will be on the back - on to the front!</div>
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Luckily, I have quite an array of textured brown fabrics in my stash (not sure why). Many of them are upholstery samples that have stiff paper glued to the back, other ones were given to me by my sister-in-law, leftovers from her home decorating business. I also had a lot of nice brown cotton prints.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio111T96Rigb0ynz243ymmkAdLNbivjgZ6oO6rwx335I6IPbiRmnQXo99IP1kJ3KxfCSKw_uzvIkNuHIoLRU0iMxOOFSR8DcHB4aJbt6QEl6JvIMmKhoJSoaNvFeDmwSE7RCc9KEvjqY3r/s1600/IMG_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio111T96Rigb0ynz243ymmkAdLNbivjgZ6oO6rwx335I6IPbiRmnQXo99IP1kJ3KxfCSKw_uzvIkNuHIoLRU0iMxOOFSR8DcHB4aJbt6QEl6JvIMmKhoJSoaNvFeDmwSE7RCc9KEvjqY3r/s400/IMG_0071.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I even came across this interesting stretch fabric. It is dyed in mottled shades of brown, tan, and aqua blue and is stitched with a brick sort of pattern and these pom-pom like embellishments. I have NO idea what anyone would use it for (it wouldn't be good for clothing or home decor) , but I picked it up to use as the ocean floor in some under-the-sea pieces.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQXc58Zf-mbYze5lMeRC7jGaq9qREeNeeUAPzUe8xuOhaut7AbM_EEbXEZdB8YsHw0_W1cTTKYP7vw_2jxc3a-oGmT6dznkdWCelOnKZBmzLdFWSOg3RVu1s_2suBmSfMWr_FhsJeYigu/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQXc58Zf-mbYze5lMeRC7jGaq9qREeNeeUAPzUe8xuOhaut7AbM_EEbXEZdB8YsHw0_W1cTTKYP7vw_2jxc3a-oGmT6dznkdWCelOnKZBmzLdFWSOg3RVu1s_2suBmSfMWr_FhsJeYigu/s400/IMG_0072.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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So I cut up all the different fabrics in long wavy strips, overlapped them, and stitched them together with the top edge raw. I really like the way they look all together, like sedimentary layers of the earth.<br />
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The underside is kind of ugly, though, and all that white stiff paper will show through the mesh I painted. What to do?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNdrOoGPG7cs1VO9SlTevplf9RTWF6fyEA8Ax_dB4qtlGeBAj5B0RDRn5NtR430cBfX1Pb4nZAkIaN5f2Dr1aHN8PFJrqZgUba_afS9KWNTaeyIoAGRHs7MBgetUwWqriEcrku9lRuSgH/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNdrOoGPG7cs1VO9SlTevplf9RTWF6fyEA8Ax_dB4qtlGeBAj5B0RDRn5NtR430cBfX1Pb4nZAkIaN5f2Dr1aHN8PFJrqZgUba_afS9KWNTaeyIoAGRHs7MBgetUwWqriEcrku9lRuSgH/s400/IMG_0006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I went through my stash again and came up with a large upholstery sample among the stuff from my sister-in-law. The brown side is really the right side, but I decided to layer the pieces with this fabric as the batting and the wrong side towards the mesh.<br />
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I'm really liking the way all the fabrics interact with each other! Now I have to add some stitching ( I may even add a little hand stitching) and cut this up into rectangles, then link them all together. Almost done with #3!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqWFt21NxailzhIqaY8z5jkV4mtTGVlacQ6mqHz7exoMMWBYVQSvthBYUPITUHfHjK6472SMqdaTvITdi5Ryj54EGrKfcu0GleTP9UF9s13Ly4o4aW3_W0eX_ycaP-ar8h9qL4VJdrdt3/s1600/IMG_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqWFt21NxailzhIqaY8z5jkV4mtTGVlacQ6mqHz7exoMMWBYVQSvthBYUPITUHfHjK6472SMqdaTvITdi5Ryj54EGrKfcu0GleTP9UF9s13Ly4o4aW3_W0eX_ycaP-ar8h9qL4VJdrdt3/s400/IMG_0080.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-18186601253294281232016-02-14T19:48:00.000-05:002016-02-14T19:48:04.123-05:00On a Roll...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I started thinking about my next Fiber Fall chain before I even finished the last one, so I was able to keep the momentum going and dive right in. I made a sandwich similar to the one I made for the last chain, but this time I used a teal netting as the outside pieces and fusible webbing to hold everything together while I stitched. I already had many wavy strips cut out of sheer and sparkly fabrics in this bright aqua blue left over from a previous project, so the process went pretty quickly. Above is the resulting conglomerate fabric (for lack of a better word), which I cut into strips 1 1/2" wide. I decided to use rectangle shapes this time, but still cut them into 3", 4" and 5" strips. I linked them together in a similar fashion (3, 4, 5, 4, 3 etc) but this time I added an aqua glass bead between the shapes. Here's how it looks so far:</div>
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Again, I'm trying to bring to mind the element water, and the color, shine, and sparkle of the fabrics definitely do that. I think the graduated rectangles also bring to mind waves, and the way they twirl in the slightest breeze is reminiscent of the constant motion of the ocean. It's very glittery and pretty, like the Caribbean, and looks different enough from the "Air" chain that it's obvious what they are. I'm not quite finished linking them all together (threading them on the yarn and tying the knots is a bit tedious) but I'm glad it came together so quickly! I'm even contemplating making a fourth one to round out the four elements, which would be Fire. We'll see how much energy (and time) I have after the next two...</div>
<br />Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-68317998586299803752016-02-12T17:09:00.000-05:002016-02-12T17:09:22.570-05:00First One Done!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPgAAsYQueegoF5spDE4M2TPnwp5BKi7CPqRZgga-JhkVhULnwwiu7sOuAH31vjdO6tf9P_UUXNPjptPPUCtsdVca-P5q04kKeylq0hmKTMMiwsO38-dTw1OhMcqGprImu669KYofga2d/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPgAAsYQueegoF5spDE4M2TPnwp5BKi7CPqRZgga-JhkVhULnwwiu7sOuAH31vjdO6tf9P_UUXNPjptPPUCtsdVca-P5q04kKeylq0hmKTMMiwsO38-dTw1OhMcqGprImu669KYofga2d/s400/IMG_0057.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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My first chain for FANE's Fiber Fall exhibit is finally finished! Even though I only had two more 5" squares to make, I had a hard time coming up with a combination of fabrics that I liked. I played around with a lot of different ideas, including incorporating a pinwheel block somehow. I'm not very experienced with traditional piecing techniques but I found a great tutorial for a shortcut way to make them by the Missouri Star Quilt Company on YouTube (see it <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekYpJzHoW6E" target="_blank">here</a>). I actually made a few in different sizes as you see below, but I still wasn't thrilled with it. I just wasn't sure that it belonged with the other more improvisational-type raw-edge applique` squares I already made.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK5yr857y_3snHw6HCtnwGjRLD7hTzHjrRB9LnnL8aoIwL4G4dDtVBL1itt0aBSGf2tAxxBSKxhYacGE7Eecgfp9OL7VyZ2nZNT7DA1AoU-SxgSeV6GTvgsLelVibtfJwt6ZRA_bo9G5U/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK5yr857y_3snHw6HCtnwGjRLD7hTzHjrRB9LnnL8aoIwL4G4dDtVBL1itt0aBSGf2tAxxBSKxhYacGE7Eecgfp9OL7VyZ2nZNT7DA1AoU-SxgSeV6GTvgsLelVibtfJwt6ZRA_bo9G5U/s400/IMG_0059.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was starting to get impatient about how long these two measly squares were taking me! I kept going through my stash and going through my stash until I finally came up with this combination:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7B0oAVyKp_KeK2P-I5wiTFNrN_xsYqqqkyhxVVlHpoRSDTV4ST2QVEz-2wIds0i7q_okOwbZ1WFqvZU1GNYuBuRCzauOyceiMab80e3p6oo2ZvBzDUV5p0hWGFUIrsbkLb1-x8KxqR7WF/s1600/IMG_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7B0oAVyKp_KeK2P-I5wiTFNrN_xsYqqqkyhxVVlHpoRSDTV4ST2QVEz-2wIds0i7q_okOwbZ1WFqvZU1GNYuBuRCzauOyceiMab80e3p6oo2ZvBzDUV5p0hWGFUIrsbkLb1-x8KxqR7WF/s400/IMG_0060.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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There was enough texture, contrast, sparkle, and visual interest to make a nice looking square. Here's the result below:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDYb78UmvGoHfzXSmFr3-WhgPmApyBup0rSBmcOz6m1lBdapGmT4HdJh7_HBaXkI1vJsSZpfrEhTTrO9Iy2_hgkbH6r7BevnfaBkcJIZLn0d6gzBYdSyzu9nXtDZikPfMKr4onL93EN9X/s1600/IMG_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDYb78UmvGoHfzXSmFr3-WhgPmApyBup0rSBmcOz6m1lBdapGmT4HdJh7_HBaXkI1vJsSZpfrEhTTrO9Iy2_hgkbH6r7BevnfaBkcJIZLn0d6gzBYdSyzu9nXtDZikPfMKr4onL93EN9X/s400/IMG_0058.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I chained them by size: 3", 4", 5", 4", 3", 4", 5" etc so there are only the three 5-inch squares but lots of 3- and 4-inch ones. Even so, I had a lot leftover of the materials I created for them. I'm sure I'll find another use for them sometime... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvsKuxugH09I8SnmVpswSvbtcT-_0fLUiA0DGYW0sdFcv-z06Y7wvEkPEIa4gDG-iUJDeijyewRFb79lyJSURU3vbB7zxOQJurCGUXuE_jw1TMgAciSimgM6-duOeEnU0icfIAlCKHeT5/s1600/IMG_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvsKuxugH09I8SnmVpswSvbtcT-_0fLUiA0DGYW0sdFcv-z06Y7wvEkPEIa4gDG-iUJDeijyewRFb79lyJSURU3vbB7zxOQJurCGUXuE_jw1TMgAciSimgM6-duOeEnU0icfIAlCKHeT5/s400/IMG_0061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm really liking the way the chain hangs and twirls in the air. I'm glad I hung them on the diagonal. And I'm happy to be using up my stash! A few years ago, my sister gave me a nice portion of the fabric stash of a relative of her husband's who passed away suddenly. I promised myself I would make every effort to use up my stash before I kick the bucket, and I've kept that in mind even as I browse the aisles at JoAnn's Fabrics ("Use what you have, use what you have..."). I've already got some ideas for the next chain that I'll create with the theme of "water" in mind. I have tons of water-like fabrics, so it'll be another way to help use up more of my stash!Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-58016360691524362122016-02-06T16:37:00.000-05:002016-02-06T16:41:37.291-05:00My First Fiber Fall Chain!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3M2_rLpi6p1Q_kUj5DTTGwQVoi9a7G_A3qSiJhGN7JG-QXedfAmmjVfqC64VnffMI2qOaWBWI3-uKCUWdJ3EK0N-bv5zfOpVs2Q_7r78I8bsNO8nTYv4qFljSuTwK6Bnsr12-ZNQ8vYXN/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3M2_rLpi6p1Q_kUj5DTTGwQVoi9a7G_A3qSiJhGN7JG-QXedfAmmjVfqC64VnffMI2qOaWBWI3-uKCUWdJ3EK0N-bv5zfOpVs2Q_7r78I8bsNO8nTYv4qFljSuTwK6Bnsr12-ZNQ8vYXN/s400/IMG_0056.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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It may not seem like a big deal, but I feel like I've been working towards making this chain in teeny tiny steps forward and it's so nice to finally see it come together! As you know if you read this blog (anyone out there besides Norma and Vivien?), I started making 5" squares like the one on the bottom - one at a time, and kinda slow, with hand-stitched embellishments. Then I went to the January FANE meeting and saw some of the techniques some of the other ladies are using (like cutting up a previously made, not-my-favorite-good-for-repurposing quilt) and started thinking about how I could streamline the process of making these small shapes. </div>
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I began painting and stitching an old placemat with the plan to layer it with Timtex, stitch it, and cut it up. That seemed to take me a month to get done (lost the thread, cleaned my studio, got distracted with the white lace piece yada, yada, yada) but I finally finished that this week and decided to cut them into 3" squares. They look better than I thought they would, as you can see below. But it only made about 12 squares and I knew that wouldn't be enough, so I came up with another idea to make 4" squares.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0sCegRiDmZW__uoDiy8RD99uBEwUVbUQW3GjUhUuhHQ1FnkxIN0LLap0-1-1K_bySdoqcMAfChUmK9XgoBFAFdtrdEG655gAgJ1Zzr78VZJNbneCI3_Ma2fWjM-iK-FftS-Q80q4gSIv/s1600/IMG_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0sCegRiDmZW__uoDiy8RD99uBEwUVbUQW3GjUhUuhHQ1FnkxIN0LLap0-1-1K_bySdoqcMAfChUmK9XgoBFAFdtrdEG655gAgJ1Zzr78VZJNbneCI3_Ma2fWjM-iK-FftS-Q80q4gSIv/s320/IMG_0056.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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One of the talented women in the group loves to experiment and she had beautiful, delicate results layering dryer sheets and strengthening and coloring them with tinted acrylic gel medium. I had this very light webby fabric that feels very much like dryer sheets but is already a pale blue, so I decided to try a similar technique. I made a sandwich with the thin blue web on the outside and put some pieces of lace and angelina fibers on the inside with some bonash powder (a fusible in granular form). </div>
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After fusing, it was stable enough to stitch and also print on, but was still very thin and wispy, so I painted it with a diluted gel medium. My gel medium is matte and I was a little disappointed with the results, which kind of obscured the shine of the angelina and the detail of the lace. I debated starting over with the last piece of that blue webbing that I have, but decided to muddle through with this one. (These things will only hang in the NSQG show for one weekend - they don't need to be perfect!). I added some more stitching, this time with metallic thread, and then painted on a layer of glossy Mod Podge (over which I sprinkled a little clear glitter). After it dried, it looked like this:</div>
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Still not very exciting, but I decided to go with it and cut them up into 4" squares.<br />
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Funny thing, when they're cut up and held up to the light, they look much better! They really do seem to capture the feeling of Air, which is what I was going for. All three sizes of squares have the same spiral element tying them together, as well as the common colors and threads. With the 10 or so pieces I've chained together on the diagonal, they do bring air and wind to mind. I used pieces of a sheer ribbon stitched to the corners to link them and they turn quite a bit as they hang. I'm happy with the results and will feel confident to have them hanging amid all the other beautiful work my fellow FANEers have made! I only need to make two more 5" squares and I'll have enough to make an 8' chain. <br />
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(Then I just have to make two more chains...)Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-3538318317706545452016-01-31T17:54:00.001-05:002016-01-31T17:54:58.693-05:00Lace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The winter preschool programs started up again at the library and I'm working longer, busier hours, so I find I'm a little more worn out at the end of the day. Still, I managed to complete this piece, which I may title "February Morning," for the Mahopac Library gallery show called "Lace." The nine squares are all attached, although minimally. I wanted to leave everything very unstructured so the focus would be on the bits and pieces of lace, not any sashing in between.</div>
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Here is a close-up:<br />
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This piece will be a challenge to hang, just as the "Bamboo Grove" was. I will probably use the same method of making a hanging sleeve out of white netting and using a piece of clear acrylic as a slat. I'll have to give everything a good pressing too (it seems very rumply in this photo), although I wanted the piece to bring to mind lace curtains as well as the morning sun shining through a frosted window, so if it hangs away from the wall a bit, I suppose it will seem more curtain-like.<br />
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Anyhoo, this was a fun exercise and it came together pretty quickly, but it distracted me from my Fiber Fall pieces. Still trying to figure out a shortcut for those. Maybe if I just dedicate myself to making one segment per day, in about 45 days, they'll be all done... (Do I have that kind of discipline? Not sure... Keep you posted).Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-2860771731353316662016-01-22T07:54:00.000-05:002016-01-22T07:54:38.459-05:00Progress in the Studio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-TmnAPFpXANJn3mtQS-RBTGQX28F-aV9ErhV89GsVr8V_b1M5-_ZSoRmPPaBcIDqFZfCZNFTautnx1Iv9LsT-FtEOxupXF2NHEMu10a2zOhkCa4XKlRvHlgzP9ccqPs5xDUHvDL-xyly/s1600/IMG_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-TmnAPFpXANJn3mtQS-RBTGQX28F-aV9ErhV89GsVr8V_b1M5-_ZSoRmPPaBcIDqFZfCZNFTautnx1Iv9LsT-FtEOxupXF2NHEMu10a2zOhkCa4XKlRvHlgzP9ccqPs5xDUHvDL-xyly/s320/IMG_0044.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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In the past week, I've managed to spend some time in my studio, continuing with the clean up and also doing a little creative work. Above you can see the fabric storage boxes all fronted with coordinating construction paper. I'm amazed at how much neater the whole shelf looks and so sorry I lived with it looking messy for so long!</div>
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One of the issues I have in the studio is the works-in-progress that sometimes turn into UFOs. I don't want to put them away because then I'll never finish them, so they end up sitting out, making the room look messy. I've rearranged and repurposed some containers to corral them, so they're within easy reach but still look fairly neat. Here are two examples, the basket on the right with journaling materials and the one on the left with my "summer blues" project, still unfinished!</div>
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A dear friend gave me this container, below, with a plant inside. I love the colorful print, but couldn't find a way to use it.<br />
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I decided to turn it on it's side, insert cardboard crosspieces inside, and use it for marker storage! I put the lid on top to serve as a catchall for all those little odds-n-ends that are always turning up. The marker/pen/pencil storage was one of the eyesores in the studio, so this looks a lot better!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiAKqX-DMLSCUIu1hsC10fwo0YWPycYDbUMoJaep9HoMx4SYRKZXP2L0G_mE0Dw2pjsSTDNKd6UJYV9JQCS8rFcXncenFue5O-vfnkwtc5XPWrbh4Kd4fra5-GRmoayUpbAOg4woLxGDA/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiAKqX-DMLSCUIu1hsC10fwo0YWPycYDbUMoJaep9HoMx4SYRKZXP2L0G_mE0Dw2pjsSTDNKd6UJYV9JQCS8rFcXncenFue5O-vfnkwtc5XPWrbh4Kd4fra5-GRmoayUpbAOg4woLxGDA/s400/IMG_0046.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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So here's a full shot of the wall you see when you walk into the studio area - much neater, right? I bought several natural containers at Michael's last week (at 50% off!) and used those to corral the projects and unify the look. I also moved my collection of back issues of Quilting Arts and Cloth Paper Scissors magazines here, because they also look neat and orderly (I think I'm almost ready to get rid of them entirely...). The girls art materials are to the right of the tabletop and readily accessible if the creative mood ever strikes them. The whole space looks much more inviting!<br />
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So in the course of organizing and going through bins, I came across this roll of burlap, which is<br />
4 1/2" wide. It thought it was the perfect size for making some squares for the "Fiber Fall" project, so I dug into my aqua scraps and stitched a couple. It's really fun just arranging the scraps together to please myself, not worrying about the outcome, just enjoying the process and playing with the materials. But again, if I keep making the shapes (which have to be 2-sided!) in this fashion, it will take me until May to complete the project. Which is okay, but aren't there other things I'd like to do?<br />
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As a matter of fact, as I was working on the squares, I also had in the back of my mind a call for entries at the Mahopac Public Library for an art exhibit with the title "Lace." At first, I thought I could kill two birds with one stone and make one of my Fiber Fall pieces out of lace, but then I realized that the projects are all due in April. So I decided to play around with lace squares anyway, and have already made almost a complete nine patch. Here are six of them, below. Again, I'm enjoying just layering on all my white and lacy scraps to see what arrangement I like best, then stitching it all together. It did occur to me as I was working that the nine squares together resemble a window, and then I got to thinking about how the windows in my home growing up used to frost over on very cold mornings when moisture got between the casements. My window faced east and sometimes the winter sun would shine through it, refracting the light and creating dazzling designs. So I decided to add some subtle color with sheer scraps in pale yellow, blue, and rose. I'm moving through this project fairly quickly, but now the worktable is once again covered with scraps (notice I didn't share that in the studio photos!). I've been putting in a little time down there in the mornings and evenings, and leaving everything out, although messy, allows me to pick it up even for just a few minutes.<br />
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So the year is starting off well, creatively! Hope your January has also been enjoyable :)</div>
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Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-31683971825659488822016-01-15T18:14:00.000-05:002016-01-15T18:14:26.754-05:00Ups & Downs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This was definitely a week of ups and downs! In my last post, I mentioned that I had driven to JoAnn's Fabrics specifically for a certain variegated metallic thread, and ended up picking up a few other fun things while I was there. Well, when I finally got the time to sit down and maybe do a little free-motion stitching on the Fiber Fall pieces, I COULDN'T FIND THAT THREAD! It was listed on the receipt, I had all the other threads and things I bought, I looked in the car and all over the floor of the studio - no thread! I finally called the store to see if anyone found it there behind the register or anything, and they said no, they hadn't but if I came in with the receipt, they would replace it for me. That was very kind and generous of them, but it meant <i style="font-weight: bold;">making another long drive back to JoAnn's</i> which is about 35 minutes away. AGHHH! Anyone else feel like you go two steps forward and then one back? </div>
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Luckily, I only worked Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, so I was able to nip on back over there today and pick up the thread - AGAIN! Meanwhile, I also helped my oldest daughter register for classes at the local community college (a new experience for us both, as I didn't grow up around here and had never been to the campus before this week), and also received the art charms, above, in the mail, two bright spots in the week. I participated in a swap through the Artcharms yahoo group I belong to (haven't done that in a long time but couldn't resist the theme of denim and crystal). In December, I played around with some denim and crystals I already had at home and created the charms in the center of this picture, with the lace flowers with crystal centers. I kept two of them to wear as earrings, and now I have a bunch I can put on a bracelet.</div>
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I also managed to get some parts of my studio cleaned up and looking neater, even without a snow day. Below, you can see my improved fabric storage. I already had the boxes and shelving, but never took the time to cover the ugly black grid label printed on the fronts. I had thought about covering each box front with fabric to indicate the color stored in it, but was reluctant to use my nice fabrics for that purpose. As I was cleaning, I came across some construction paper, and decided solids would probably look neater anyway, so I began gluing them on. I've covered most of them and the overall appearance of the shelf is much neater, don't you agree? I still have about 5 more to do.</div>
I did use fabric on the floral-covered box (I keep my multi-colored fabrics in there) and was kind of surprised how easy it was to cut and glue on using diluted gel medium. (Maybe I could add a strip of fabric along the bottom of each box face...?)<br />
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Anyway, while I was out today, I picked up a few new storage containers to neaten up some of my other shelves and I still have the whole weekend to get in there and get going. What creative plans do you have for the weekend?Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-33196992039102330682016-01-10T21:11:00.000-05:002016-01-10T21:11:33.869-05:00Shopping Spree!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thursday evening was FANE's monthly meeting and some members brought the pieces they've started for the Fiber Fall group exhibit. Needless to say, they were suitably awesome and inspiring, so I went home and jazzed up the surface designs I'd started on my discarded placemats. I fused on scraps of various sheers and prints, giving it a lot more interest and color. I still need to stitch everything down, and I'm almost out of one of my favorite variegated metallic threads (it mixes pastel hues of blue and pink with a little gold) so today I took a trip down to JoAnn's Fabrics with all my coupons. </div>
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I went straight to the thread section and picked up what I needed there, plus a few extra colors I might need (all at 50% off). But I'm in fabric stores so infrequently, I had to wander around and see what they had! For the most part, I repeated my mantra "Use what you have, use what you have," over and over again in my head, but I did make a few unplanned purchases. Now that Christmas is over, the stores have already started to feature items with spring colors. Sometimes I wander around the home decor sections of various stores, wishing I could trash everything I own and start all over with fresh new linens, pretty print canvas storage containers, and other tabletop items like these springy birdcages.</div>
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I also had fun looking at the display of miniature elf and fairy homes and yard furniture and accessories for them. Even though winter hasn't even gotten warmed up yet, it's nice to begin thinking about spring!<br />
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On a hook nearby, I saw this cheerful floral print gardening apron. I've been wanting something like this to carry my clippers, trowel, and other tools in - isn't it great? It would probably make a nice Mother's Day gift, but rather than wait, I decided to go ahead and pick it up. Can't wait to wear it!</div>
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As you probably know by now, I love the texture of burlap and its rustic, country-garden appeal. I came across this pretty printed burlap, below. The subtle shades of mint green, cream, and yellow in the print are so refreshing! I was trying to dream up a way I could put it to use in my studio - maybe as a curtain, or chair cover. Even though I'm not sure what I'll do with it, I had to bring home a yard! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZkDhSKfDgzcJRa7qXkDEocb78wP9RoZjS-F5qGBPp_pGRsqv0uoPhTnUs-WctPEzRK0-dADVyXayJfWsSv7Qc0yc97tTydkR8kHlSn9U4dW191IMPK0G_lazyWVVhukOB4f_mniuuJY6/s1600/20160110_143733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZkDhSKfDgzcJRa7qXkDEocb78wP9RoZjS-F5qGBPp_pGRsqv0uoPhTnUs-WctPEzRK0-dADVyXayJfWsSv7Qc0yc97tTydkR8kHlSn9U4dW191IMPK0G_lazyWVVhukOB4f_mniuuJY6/s320/20160110_143733.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I stopped at the grocery store on the way home, and look what was waiting for me on my way out! This spectacular double rainbow stretched completely across the sky, with colors so vibrant, they just glowed! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSeJlGByRxAH3zns48lrzwHD2d9bt0z3PtAQ2cu6SHNI5_fTxmhKHrSMRAHPSpdqxVY8oTdZJNMRMv7U4ULQpmeJkUR-QOfqyV8qX6tU-xDhP6vM-Z5ZMugieP5Sn4acRKLfLc1jIT4C8/s1600/20160110_162540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSeJlGByRxAH3zns48lrzwHD2d9bt0z3PtAQ2cu6SHNI5_fTxmhKHrSMRAHPSpdqxVY8oTdZJNMRMv7U4ULQpmeJkUR-QOfqyV8qX6tU-xDhP6vM-Z5ZMugieP5Sn4acRKLfLc1jIT4C8/s320/20160110_162540.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now maybe I can use some of my color and home-decor inspiration to spruce up (and clean up!) my workspace a bit! It's definitely time for a clear-out and overhaul. It would be great if we'd get a snow day soon. I'd stay in and get it all done in one day!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J0EquGyXl7-t3MmDbeBcP70nqYrG5joAj2mqyqn7oqU-2XQqv7DIV5okTZu1QHqYarO2HQsPA_QcJBDcaBolP3L73Tp-6_uRpL6rYP2CadBIW95ypC_ujCxaQ5ktDcfGkgkQuzHgO0TL/s1600/IMG_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J0EquGyXl7-t3MmDbeBcP70nqYrG5joAj2mqyqn7oqU-2XQqv7DIV5okTZu1QHqYarO2HQsPA_QcJBDcaBolP3L73Tp-6_uRpL6rYP2CadBIW95ypC_ujCxaQ5ktDcfGkgkQuzHgO0TL/s320/IMG_0031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-80926507192201792812016-01-06T14:15:00.000-05:002016-01-06T14:15:24.262-05:00Playtime Progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqRKoKIC0Wj94yr7FA5hJLkFETqRlklUNuA1v7_a6gE_PL2b7KqCEF1M79bTBN4kj93oXwi8cxjSQk42ZRUrOCSBvac-Fp0oyBAPm1ueedkWCqT4kzkSjzPlTcu9DKuuezrC3z_7fj9eA/s1600/IMG_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqRKoKIC0Wj94yr7FA5hJLkFETqRlklUNuA1v7_a6gE_PL2b7KqCEF1M79bTBN4kj93oXwi8cxjSQk42ZRUrOCSBvac-Fp0oyBAPm1ueedkWCqT4kzkSjzPlTcu9DKuuezrC3z_7fj9eA/s400/IMG_0023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My friend Vivien has a point, with her comment on my last post: if I keep working with the level of detail I used in the first two components, it will take me until May to get the whole thing finished! So in the interest of time (as well as recycling and experimentation), I decided to try another approach. When I've made multiple small pieces before, as for swaps, I've made a large piece (painted, stamped, stitched, whatever) and then cut it up into smaller pieces. I thought I might have to do most of these components in that way, then do some with more detail and individuality, the way I did with the first two. </div>
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So I dug around in my box of white fabric and found these 12"x18" jacquard placemats I put in there several years ago when I was cleaning out table linens I didn't really use. I like the floral texture that's woven into the fabric and thought it might be nice altered in some way. I used Dy-na-flow acrylic paints by Jacquard (which are concentrated and act a lot like inks) to add bits of color here and there, then stamped with a swirl stamp I made from craft foam. I like the results so far, but may fuse some bits of fabric onto it before I layer it, stitch it, and cut it up. I have 6 or 8 placemats, so I'll do something similar for the back of this section.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMD-_CEYafONRUH0Rphl8RZHsbacfkysz_Jn-lzJPO1Fe3rOfAEfDkxMyzuYyv2XWqtzBXZ1dZsTUNxT20zw3k900Ogj7-QtmQ23sf_ytxpjxzUsfokrmRPkxIDz7Qy-H8iMpzHerHqUZ/s1600/IMG_0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMD-_CEYafONRUH0Rphl8RZHsbacfkysz_Jn-lzJPO1Fe3rOfAEfDkxMyzuYyv2XWqtzBXZ1dZsTUNxT20zw3k900Ogj7-QtmQ23sf_ytxpjxzUsfokrmRPkxIDz7Qy-H8iMpzHerHqUZ/s400/IMG_0024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Over the weekend, I played with some more weaving of fabric strips, this time in shades of brown. This might possibly be a component in one of my Fiberfall strings, if I stick with the Earth, Air, and Water themes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8zahyphenhyphenJ8QsJGHIcanKdcPvwDG7uifSU6rNmJZbZEJMuCRfMaA-8ES0xxC1EmJg8BAbLuQXKw5e90bVFlNq4hzz0aSaD-Smz89z8IJQuKJFU1YDzfVQsPR-vG9CFyJPSqPwG1FuHgKrAwI/s1600/IMG_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8zahyphenhyphenJ8QsJGHIcanKdcPvwDG7uifSU6rNmJZbZEJMuCRfMaA-8ES0xxC1EmJg8BAbLuQXKw5e90bVFlNq4hzz0aSaD-Smz89z8IJQuKJFU1YDzfVQsPR-vG9CFyJPSqPwG1FuHgKrAwI/s400/IMG_0026.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Even though these seem like small steps and hardly worth blogging about, at least I've been getting down into my creative space for a short time almost daily for the last week, to putter around, doodle, clean up, do some mending, or work on something like the above. It's only the first week of the year, but so far, so good! How has your first week of 2016 been?<br />
<br />Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-23155120019098697072016-01-01T13:10:00.000-05:002016-01-01T13:10:20.515-05:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPDlbt7KoTO6BanHo_urSEHGkjGhhXM8Rrj5rZeQ-_NKF0moHh8WL95Q3VpbgxEQu5Y5hwNT1DfVRvmzpKEw1AWE6EP-dL1nvHm95hRzghl_MV0-dwAg-ju6wWMThr3G6cVInWqnBd2ka/s1600/IMG_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPDlbt7KoTO6BanHo_urSEHGkjGhhXM8Rrj5rZeQ-_NKF0moHh8WL95Q3VpbgxEQu5Y5hwNT1DfVRvmzpKEw1AWE6EP-dL1nvHm95hRzghl_MV0-dwAg-ju6wWMThr3G6cVInWqnBd2ka/s400/IMG_0023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I thought I'd start off the year on a positive note and write an entry for my poor, neglected blog! This fall, I was feeling like I needed to put fewer demands on myself and do <i><b>less</b> </i>rather than more<i>,</i> hence the two-month hiatus. Of course, things got busy here between Halloween, Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas, and now that all the baking, shopping, decorating, hosting, eating, and celebrating are done, it's a good time to take a few moments to catch up.</div>
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Above is the piece I was working on in the fall, which I finished sometime in November. I decided the woven painted pieces had a watery feel to them, what with all the ripples and circles, so I appliqued some solid waterlily shapes on top. They look like they're floating, so I think that's what I'll call it. I enjoyed this technique of slicing up painted, stamped or dyed fabrics and weaving them together. It makes for a very unique background. I'd like to try using it more. Here's a close up:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3K3zeLeYfLqj9fQ9THzXHfhhyphenhyphenw9Y25Fbyz7G8HfKudnJuT2lH9pVNH8G3aB1z0MOHsxKRp1S7bMuy6HDpM5OCElpiIkrVk7HLdVR7SeEXPPBIqbrun5Qho0yGZH0eC9yz6Migr8EiMn9/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3K3zeLeYfLqj9fQ9THzXHfhhyphenhyphenw9Y25Fbyz7G8HfKudnJuT2lH9pVNH8G3aB1z0MOHsxKRp1S7bMuy6HDpM5OCElpiIkrVk7HLdVR7SeEXPPBIqbrun5Qho0yGZH0eC9yz6Migr8EiMn9/s320/IMG_0025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And now on to the next project! The FANE has been planning ahead for our group exhibit at the NSQG's annual show in May. We wanted to do another 3-D kind of display and after much discussion, came up with the idea of stringing together some small shapes to make an 8-foot-long piece. Each member is to make three of these, made up of basic shapes between 3 and 5" square (but they can also be circles or diamonds) connected by a short (2" or less) piece of yarn or ribbon. We chose the name "FiberFall" for the exhibit. I like the sound of that!</div>
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This is the ideal project to be done as a daily exercise, or at least, in small blocks of time. I decided to get a head start on it the other day and made my first shape, below. I still had a bunch of blue fabrics out from my "Summer Blues" WIP so I grabbed some of them and came up with this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZBAWRXznFaSv-ViiuPnzdaYJ8BkJKKrY0Le37ARQ35NVSnWj6siaSxOjSMfq56PqhsBXu15jgWuCUU5HOrXzj6Wl9pgfMWWitsSQdf8dudNerqX-_qj93Ur3Koo0RLnQ_X46coH8ukIr/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZBAWRXznFaSv-ViiuPnzdaYJ8BkJKKrY0Le37ARQ35NVSnWj6siaSxOjSMfq56PqhsBXu15jgWuCUU5HOrXzj6Wl9pgfMWWitsSQdf8dudNerqX-_qj93Ur3Koo0RLnQ_X46coH8ukIr/s400/IMG_0021.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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As usual, it took longer than you would think, mostly because the metallic thread I used kept breaking and I had to try several things (change the needle, adjust the tension, rethread the machine, rethread the bobbin) before everything went smoothly. Then I hand stitched on the wire spiral in the center. These pieces have to be seen from both sides, so the back looks just like the front. It's a start! I'm thinking I may create pieces to fit into the themes of Earth, Air, and Water (I always like to have a theme!). And since I'm starting off the new year with ambition and gusto (cough, cough) I made another one this morning! I think I'll hang these on the diagonal for greater movement and interest.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_CBQCNA4yxjJNgDLAfxs0G-DykRVM8_jJLVs4yGTTucsNOCitZ-ZtaY_Jnu9c2sxO94eLxIUS_nhxoP5a-2nYIZRgOeNpcjNQEwKFTHEqV1sXeM4EkyUK-zyMIxvohAs_3JDUONTtzxx/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_CBQCNA4yxjJNgDLAfxs0G-DykRVM8_jJLVs4yGTTucsNOCitZ-ZtaY_Jnu9c2sxO94eLxIUS_nhxoP5a-2nYIZRgOeNpcjNQEwKFTHEqV1sXeM4EkyUK-zyMIxvohAs_3JDUONTtzxx/s400/IMG_0022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Even though I haven't done much blogging, I have been <i>reading. </i> As a matter of fact, I am the new facilitator of one of the adult fiction book clubs at the library, so now <i>it's my job to read</i>! This past fall we read <u>The Passion of Artemisia</u> by Susan Vreeland, <u>North River</u> by Pete Hamill, and <u>The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry</u> by Gabrielle Zevin (one of my favorites). This month we will be discussing <u>The Invention of Wings</u> by Sue Monk Kidd (I read this last summer and loved it). I also picked up <u>Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear</u> by Elizabeth Gilbert <u>(</u>author of <u>Eat, Pray, Love)</u>. We can all use a little creative inspiration for the new year, and this book has gotten very good reviews. But it's already overdue on my library card so I'd better get cracking!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYWGG2QEP60hSR4oMzLgyaeO8mDD31IsDqHnKC_pV9CFIb_o1e5wrMIIYfPBbi85SIN_WII4-qpPlJfHIqXkse51epaJNj0CLY6tRgDb_3HT6zClNyTS0qC34xzrssV3AFS6uM0jiwUBL/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYWGG2QEP60hSR4oMzLgyaeO8mDD31IsDqHnKC_pV9CFIb_o1e5wrMIIYfPBbi85SIN_WII4-qpPlJfHIqXkse51epaJNj0CLY6tRgDb_3HT6zClNyTS0qC34xzrssV3AFS6uM0jiwUBL/s320/IMG_0019.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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How have you started off your new year?<br />
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<br />Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-44613699976440253132015-10-26T07:29:00.000-04:002015-10-26T07:29:38.900-04:00A Few Things...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xg7BB9y2iowrP1yYObPKybkcDieGCQva3y_oVMUxpDRBFxuI3Y_hTXW_DfWjj9814I2v9XNhDyiZnKyEwUJPO55oyAKDAlmOXO-0m937rEh8lykwsW4HOpvwpMSl-crTV23Z22yOSwmU/s1600/IMG_1989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xg7BB9y2iowrP1yYObPKybkcDieGCQva3y_oVMUxpDRBFxuI3Y_hTXW_DfWjj9814I2v9XNhDyiZnKyEwUJPO55oyAKDAlmOXO-0m937rEh8lykwsW4HOpvwpMSl-crTV23Z22yOSwmU/s400/IMG_1989.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This month I've been working on some UFOs that have been hanging out in drawers and on worktables in my creative space. The library has some display space on the second floor and they've asked me and a few other creative staff members to display some work in November and December. I only need a few pieces, but most things have already been on display there in the FANE shows, so I wanted to choose a few things they haven't seen yet. The above piece was made for a traveling SAQA exhibit a few years ago and I received it back recently. It needed a frame or border, so I covered a stiff piece of interfacing with the upholstery fabric you see above. Now it's suitable for display!</div>
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I also (finally!) finished the Thanksgiving-themed piece I created last year, below. I had done all the embroidery but wasn't sure what to mount it on. I found the plaid binding among my stash and decided the colors were just right. Also now suitable for display.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlIrfLDSmUTc_MiK0efbrdv7q5kL7FMMPaS2bVSA_lETuXvvX2E8DePG-MDukZfsGEE4E2GB7G6x_AJjAh3fTPLakaY9A6OlzP6g6w2-3LZs83eSxAERfS4y5JjswfCYq3AJOr3onPP5n/s1600/IMG_1984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlIrfLDSmUTc_MiK0efbrdv7q5kL7FMMPaS2bVSA_lETuXvvX2E8DePG-MDukZfsGEE4E2GB7G6x_AJjAh3fTPLakaY9A6OlzP6g6w2-3LZs83eSxAERfS4y5JjswfCYq3AJOr3onPP5n/s400/IMG_1984.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's a close-up:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKraBd2Qr4Z2NWWpnlEjtTa74tEEOZ8bmrNBfmdWfhc9VY5OX2gZqnLjUt76W-KsaUrhrvbdhEqf4k1luVaHrucoNykU_kAxbJyt3fmkuj4CUHFiO_f0CXNM_5OHBnB14R3lfOfr5v60OM/s1600/IMG_1988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKraBd2Qr4Z2NWWpnlEjtTa74tEEOZ8bmrNBfmdWfhc9VY5OX2gZqnLjUt76W-KsaUrhrvbdhEqf4k1luVaHrucoNykU_kAxbJyt3fmkuj4CUHFiO_f0CXNM_5OHBnB14R3lfOfr5v60OM/s400/IMG_1988.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I've also revisited the "Summer Blues" piece I started in the summer. I wanted to experiment with some other surface-design techniques on a few small (9"x9") pieces of fabric and the results are below. I used acrylic paint to do some monoprinting, as well as using some stamps and stencils. I wanted to keep the palate to the blues and white with a touch of yellow and green. The results were okay, maybe a little busy or messy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzLxVncR-3iIlgfjGuleXG6AOZbjIxmXijx8mH6VJWCcrNSaJ1RuMmc3GOjzo392AHbnUH7KgWm-j1OoNv4HAUQ3MetGPmFeG3ROa4ynPSSC4USL-ygGKygNiscFxFeXHj51bqTtexCW_/s1600/IMG_1983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzLxVncR-3iIlgfjGuleXG6AOZbjIxmXijx8mH6VJWCcrNSaJ1RuMmc3GOjzo392AHbnUH7KgWm-j1OoNv4HAUQ3MetGPmFeG3ROa4ynPSSC4USL-ygGKygNiscFxFeXHj51bqTtexCW_/s400/IMG_1983.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I decided to do a third when I came across this blue tie-dye look fabric in my stash. Here, I simply stamped circles in a three sizes with white acrylic paint.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqHIBAYVRgrfYzHeD5cpVo-ReRg_iwYCHSLAcTP32_jf2zUwnjpzTsiELvM1AiFuxq7kfWfb6wcnk8Tl_gZSOeLHWHyPr-aA0bkUIkVUKFUW5Fuav4m47bhVSIJDQgRWmuIBNkm1NwBCB/s1600/IMG_1992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqHIBAYVRgrfYzHeD5cpVo-ReRg_iwYCHSLAcTP32_jf2zUwnjpzTsiELvM1AiFuxq7kfWfb6wcnk8Tl_gZSOeLHWHyPr-aA0bkUIkVUKFUW5Fuav4m47bhVSIJDQgRWmuIBNkm1NwBCB/s320/IMG_1992.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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While handling the fabrics, I noticed the reverse of the first two were also kind of interesting, maybe even better than the front.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlX0g4P2zg4oAAZYHiwQWgmYQ2xJvE3SGQ2c6pjTVi1XjXHWjo8QaPr7eecwpcKlehgXLxtz9WQHM8tBcAEFyZg-iWSYW3sfHts6rjAe_C7XX2pg6UuqeU6MbkxyCQIQAqw7KB-_4oCsf/s1600/IMG_1993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlX0g4P2zg4oAAZYHiwQWgmYQ2xJvE3SGQ2c6pjTVi1XjXHWjo8QaPr7eecwpcKlehgXLxtz9WQHM8tBcAEFyZg-iWSYW3sfHts6rjAe_C7XX2pg6UuqeU6MbkxyCQIQAqw7KB-_4oCsf/s400/IMG_1993.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Finally, I cut the fabrics into strips of various widths and wove them together on top of some fusible webbing. I used all three altered fabrics, plus some strips wrong-side-up of the first two. This is what it looked like:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCxaXj1GpuPPuDcDS10w66olOXjStON03Ima0XR1LaiMB68vJadgbmWWfuR1A2GRngvR7z7DW6e08zGu6yICDsdMbEZMSJ23TzrdAu5PC5pdPjQnlDKe3Ar5M0H7VKR7TmwyOd0zGxOYr/s1600/IMG_1994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCxaXj1GpuPPuDcDS10w66olOXjStON03Ima0XR1LaiMB68vJadgbmWWfuR1A2GRngvR7z7DW6e08zGu6yICDsdMbEZMSJ23TzrdAu5PC5pdPjQnlDKe3Ar5M0H7VKR7TmwyOd0zGxOYr/s320/IMG_1994.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I like it much better than the each piece alone! Some other FANE group members have been using this weaving technique for a years and I've always wanted to try it. Now that I can see what the appeal is, I'd like to experiment with it some more. But first I need to figure out what to put on top of this and how (or if) it fits into the larger "summer blues" piece.</div>
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Finally, I've been doing other fall things, like baking! I recently came across a "candy corn cake" design somewhere on the web (maybe Pinterest?) and decided to try it myself. Here' my version, made with pumpkin spice cake and cream cheese frosting. (See how each piece resembles a candy corn when sliced? Isn't that fun?) And delicious! Yum!</div>
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<br />Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-65839184970819352122015-10-09T07:53:00.000-04:002015-10-09T10:36:19.142-04:00Where does the time go?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthHbcc00gV7o85TVoMznEz77Imcq0tdTyZA82vqBJX-Dx-tu_u3ppv0MOecG10POXKCRM9bRSPRaBbva8Ld4kDWaPgA52lpD3yOGZ6TKZ6Gv4bpUIOOIZvTIlJApq1EEOHTU7FZ4nuM2a/s1600/IMG_1983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthHbcc00gV7o85TVoMznEz77Imcq0tdTyZA82vqBJX-Dx-tu_u3ppv0MOecG10POXKCRM9bRSPRaBbva8Ld4kDWaPgA52lpD3yOGZ6TKZ6Gv4bpUIOOIZvTIlJApq1EEOHTU7FZ4nuM2a/s400/IMG_1983.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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I haven't posted on my blog in about a month! It's hard to believe that summer is long gone and the fall weather is here! So where has the time gone? We managed to get away for an extended weekend in mid-September (to Utah to visit family), the preschool and elementary programming at the library is in full swing, and the girls are back at school, so I guess all the busyness has made time fly. Since I finished "Bamboo Grove" last month, my creative projects have been on the back burner, and I am just starting to get back in the groove lately.</div>
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Yesterday I created this Halloween door decoration (it's technically not a wreath) out of what I think is a felt placemat, some cute sticky-backed felt spooky shapes, a few laser-cut painted wood phrases, a pipe-cleaner spider, and some sheer orange ribbon. I got most of the supplies at Michael's yesterday, and I'm pleased with the colorful and fun result! I try to hang something seasonal on the door every month and I have used, re-used and maybe abused my previous October/November wreath over and over. It was time for an update. But I do continue to rehang this felt banner the girls and I created years ago. We traced cookie cutter shapes onto felt for some of the ghosts, bats, and cats, then cut them out with scissors. I think it's retained its charm and whimsy (although it certainly could use a pressing!).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNvhAlgI7ou56C4Wdw0iTxDmFtXJJR4G9N1UgOA0RY00maaGZNtaMBWVBaxtIrB1IVVGBwlkaNGRuZLRyY-oUz-yp2FenrBGktT8Ngl8m8ZUZn0X0OlXXNVXO5Iu-6xRJIc-ecYVZpnQo/s1600/IMG_1989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNvhAlgI7ou56C4Wdw0iTxDmFtXJJR4G9N1UgOA0RY00maaGZNtaMBWVBaxtIrB1IVVGBwlkaNGRuZLRyY-oUz-yp2FenrBGktT8Ngl8m8ZUZn0X0OlXXNVXO5Iu-6xRJIc-ecYVZpnQo/s400/IMG_1989.JPG" width="306" /></a></div>
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A short article in the April-May issue of Quilting Arts magazine titled "Stitch and Discharge" by <a href="http://www.dyemetothemoon.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Ruzich</a> inspired me to try discharging with Softscrub with bleach. At first, I tried regular bleach out of the bottle, but it's so watery and thin that there is very little control. I actually painted the Softscrub directly onto this piece of denim with a paintbrush in this design and look at the results! (Now my daughters are getting all kinds of ideas about decorating their jeans!) In the article, the fabric is layered and quilted first, then she discharges the raised quilted area. I experimented with stamps, with okay results - not great, but not totally ineffective. Probably larger, less detailed stamps would work best. I haven't tried stencils, but I bet they would have great results.<br />
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I'll have to play with this technique some more. It would make a nice addition to my "Summer Blues" WIP which is still hanging out on my design wall. The other day, I revisited it and actually stitched a few pieces together. It was originally going to be 18"x36" to fit into the FANE group show currently at <a href="http://www.viewarts.org/" target="_blank">The View</a> in Old Forge, NY, but now I can make it any size I like, which is changing my thought process and throwing me off a bit. Maybe I should just continue to think of the 18"x36" size.</div>
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I'm not as motivated to work on this as I was in the summer (seeing as there's now no deadline!) but I'm trying to stick to "showing up at the page" at least a few times a week, if I can't do it daily. It's so much easier and more relaxing to just crack open a book!</div>
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Anyway, that's where the time's gone! </div>
<br />Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-52902445222750947002015-09-04T05:40:00.000-04:002015-09-04T05:40:07.270-04:00Signed, Sealed, Delivered!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's a shot of "Bamboo Grove," the piece I just finished for the next FANE exhibit which will be upstate at a quilt show in Old Forge NY. Of course, it took me longer to finish than I expected (doesn't everything?) but I'm happy with the results. I was trying to capture the feeling in this photo</div>
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and I hope I succeeded. I layered the tapering bamboo trunks with a sheer green netting to create the feeling of distance through a screen of leaves. Some were thick, some thin, some dark, some light, and I extended the thicker, closer ones to give the appearance of proximity and added interest along the bottom edge. My daughter suggested I place some sheer yellow strips among the trunks to look like beams of sunlight shining through, which I did. To keep them subtle, I hand-stitched them in place. The leaves were all cut out of a batik fabric and although I intended to free-motion stitch them in place, I ended up hand stitching them with little lazy daisy stitches. Here's a close up:<br />
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I even had to get a special hanging slat cut from acrylic because the top portion is so sheer that anything else would show through! And my label is on the back of the thickest trunk, hung vertically! This piece was definitely a challenge, but I think it fits the bill as "innovative fiber" and I enjoyed the creative process. Now for a little break and a long weekend before school begins on Tuesday (hooray, made it through another busy the summer!)Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-57033363892789364622015-08-14T19:15:00.001-04:002015-08-14T19:15:55.975-04:00Mini Hike: More Green Inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZHXzPHWNSK-7v-Jei8GnVishfHfyWEXDLZoyuIjV87HYOO4w14PiSqHaWPEw2vS8ADBgUkANgp-gFk8UCBt4AfywsYh_yZuavoiaGnf5ce4r4pR_OoE9GVfk7dSSrWvRQaQXqFSxu7K9/s1600/IMG_1908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZHXzPHWNSK-7v-Jei8GnVishfHfyWEXDLZoyuIjV87HYOO4w14PiSqHaWPEw2vS8ADBgUkANgp-gFk8UCBt4AfywsYh_yZuavoiaGnf5ce4r4pR_OoE9GVfk7dSSrWvRQaQXqFSxu7K9/s400/IMG_1908.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The weather has been so fabulous lately - sunny, dry, not too hot - that I've been trying to get outside as much as possible. Yesterday I took Cassie around to our little beach for another swim, but today, we explored Pelton Pond, a short hike in <a href="http://nysparks.com/parks/133/" target="_blank">Fahnstock State Park</a>, just off the Taconic Parkway. It's a manmade pond with beautiful little views around every bend.<br />
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I always get into the little landscapes around the base of some trees, where moss looks like a mini lawn and you could just imagine little critters living in the gaps between and under the roots.<br />
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As we were walking along, my daughter pointed out this log that looked as if it had been chewed by a beaver. We looked for a beaver lodge as we trekked all around the pond, but didn't see one.<br />
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Still, we kept finding logs that were obviously gnawed by beavers.<br />
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Finally, when we had almost come full circle around the pond, there they were!</div>
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No sign of the beavers (they were probably napping during the heat of the day) but it's nice to know they're there!<br />
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As you can see, Cassie felt pretty good about spotting the lodges!<br />
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Despite all the great weather and time spent outside, I've been managing a little time in the studio creating a bamboo grove. At first, I thought I would make more of an abstract piece with bamboo stems at various angles and thicknesses cutting from top to bottom of the piece (see the third photo in my previous post). But then I thought a piece with more of a focal point and a more interesting perspective might work better (see the first photo of my previous post). So I've been cutting and auditioning and playing around. Here is a preliminary view of the WIP.</div>
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Now that I've started and established a method, it's moving along pretty quickly. Hopefully I'll be able to buckle down and complete it in the next few weeks...Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-21774224414097088072015-07-31T09:44:00.000-04:002015-07-31T09:54:53.302-04:00Changing Direction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sometimes, you don't have to go looking for inspiration, sometimes it finds you! Last week I took an afternoon walk in lovely <a href="http://stonecrop.org/" target="_blank">Stonecrop Gardens</a> in Cold Spring, NY and found myself contemplating the graceful lines created by the tall stems in the bamboo grove. The bamboo is easily 30 feet tall here, and creates a very shady and secluded alcove.<br />
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My daughter and I sat on this stone bench in these peaceful surroundings, just breathing and listening to the breeze rustle through the bamboo leaves.<br />
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Without even really thinking about it, I realized these graceful stalks might be the perfect subject for a piece of art with an 18"x36" size requirement!<br />
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Of course, I don't want to abandon my "Summer Blues" project, but I have a feeling this one will go much more quickly than that one seems to be going. (I kept much of that piece on my design wall but folded up most of the extra blue fabric and left it in a neat pile on the corner of my worktable where I can see it and will be reminded to finish it!). Then I pulled out some green fabrics . . .<br />
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I think these will do nicely! I did need to make a quick run to the fabric store for some more Wonder Under, felt, and a sheer green netting that I think will make a nice backing, which will actually be seen through the spaces between the bamboo stems (this is supposed to be innovative, right?). Here's what I've got going on so far...<br />
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Stay tuned!</div>
<br />Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-80065975763419799082015-07-17T15:37:00.000-04:002015-07-17T15:37:32.438-04:00Small Steps This week, despite a very busy schedule at the library, I've managed to spend a few minutes here and there playing with my supplies. The other day, I stitched this little sun on a sky-printed fabric.<br />
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And this morning, I stopped into Michael's just to wander around and see what I could find. I picked up this set of clear acrylic alphabet stamps, some PITT pens (one large one in white), and a new mixed-media journal. When I got home, I started to play!</div>
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For some reason, when I placed this photo onto the batik ripple-print fabric below, the words ". . . life is but a dream"from "Row, row, row your boat" popped into my head and I knew I wanted to stamp or print them on there somehow. The acrylic stamps I got were perfect! I didn't mount them on blocks, but just cut them apart and painted the letters with white acrylic paint. I must say, I'm very pleased with the results - it's the exact feel I was going for. </div>
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I had also sketched a rowboat, which I traced onto the fabric using a light box and an air-soluble marker. Then I painted in the boat, leaving the fabric below to act as an outline, so the boat looks almost translucent and kind of dreamy, like a memory. I'm not sure yet how I'll stitch on the fabric photo; I'm mulling over the various options.</div>
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Here's a close-up of the boat. I'm really happy with how it turned out.<br />
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I think this all ties into my feelings about summer in general. I'm probably not the only one who looks back with great fondness on the summers of childhood. So as I'm exploring what summer means to me, different images and colors are floating up to the surface of my mind and memory. I'll just keep going with it and see where it takes me...Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-67681140936291190332015-07-12T20:23:00.000-04:002015-07-12T20:23:27.944-04:00Summer Blues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The last few days have brought us beautiful sunny weather, so I decided to try making some innovative sun-printed fabric for my innovative project. I splashed some diluted Setacolor paints onto some prewashed, damp fabric, then lay it in the sun and covered it with various flowers, ferns, vines, and pieces of lace. I covered a portion of it with an acrylic plate to keep the plants flat. Then I waited.</div>
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After a while, I couldn't resist taking a little peek. It seemed to be working. Under the leaves, it's lighter, as the sun draws the paint away from the areas in shadow.<br />
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Here is the fabric after the paint was completely dry and the plants and things removed. I've had better results from sun printing, but I did get that great clear fern print in the right corner.<br />
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I decided to augment my white shadows with actual plant prints. I gathered some more leaves and flowers, some diluted white acrylic paint, and a brayer.</div>
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The resulting prints added some clearer detail, interest, and depth to the fabric.</div>
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I've also been stitching these daisies in the evenings, so . . .</div>
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I now have a good selection of collage materials to use in the "Summer Blues" quilt, including an old photo of my sister and myself on vacation (circa 1967?) printed on fabric, the back pocket from an old pair of jeans, and the laced edge of an old cotton summer shirt I used to wear.</div>
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I even started looking through my ribbons and rick-rack to see if any of it might be included. It's a start!<br />
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<br />Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-49345284665809386412015-07-05T13:58:00.000-04:002015-07-05T13:58:16.835-04:00Seeking Inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I've been going about the busy-ness of daily life (senior prom, end of school exams, prep for summer library programs, graduation, fourth of July, keeping up with the house and garden), I've been mulling over ideas for my next piece. The only requirements are that it measure 18"x36" hung vertically, it can be considered "innovative fiber" (the title of FANE's next show), and it must be finished and photographed by Sept. 4th. So the sky is pretty much the limit as far as subject matter, materials, color choices etc. Maybe it's too wide open and without a hook to hang anything on, I find myself searching for inspiration.<br />
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Spending so much time outdoors and being a nature lover, I usually look there first. My DH and I have been building these stone steps through the fern hill in our backyard (well truthfully, he's been doing most of the work... those rocks are <b>heavy</b>!) and they might make a nice subject rendered in fiber. It would fit the vertical format as well. I could put some inspirational words in there as well, something about climbing, working toward a goal... hmmm, a possibility...<br />
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Plants and their infinite variety are always inspiring. I love the bright fuchsia of this astilbe<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVJPLkcC0iToB7qbNPRUgxAyhmL5H9dHLTAnjWnGuamq53WbBKjxg1NV7QndWkS4JYBE8h30XYAYBfUrtSMWui1OZGSrpfDQnQ4YkfCfOf1QSGDS30LRH5JKQacMDgf0XeP3K3apbIQUe/s1600/IMG_1904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVJPLkcC0iToB7qbNPRUgxAyhmL5H9dHLTAnjWnGuamq53WbBKjxg1NV7QndWkS4JYBE8h30XYAYBfUrtSMWui1OZGSrpfDQnQ4YkfCfOf1QSGDS30LRH5JKQacMDgf0XeP3K3apbIQUe/s320/IMG_1904.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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and the rich deep reds and pinks of this coleus. But for some reason, these colors don't resonate with me enough.<br />
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Greens are more my style. Maybe something in the fern family? Ferns are so graceful...</div>
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I looked through back copies of Quilting Arts magazine to get ideas, (lots of great inspiration there, and suggestions to make my work more innovative)</div>
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and I visited the blogs of several inspirational artists, including <a href="http://janeville.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jane Lofazio</a> and J<a href="http://www.jamiefingaldesigns.com/" target="_blank">amie Fingal</a>. Very inspirational!<br />
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Of course, I also went through my stash to see what jumped out at me. As usual, I was drawn to the blues. That bright daisy print in the lower right of the photo just looked so happy and summer-y.<br />
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I finally settled on making my next piece convey the happy, carefree feeling of summer, with a palette inspired by the sky and the daisies!<br />
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Now that I have a little to go on, I can start working a few minutes a day, even if it's just to place some fabrics on my design board and move them around, paint or write something on fabric, or take a few stitches. The fun can begin!</div>
Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041592056467755745.post-31653748500996400612015-06-08T22:11:00.000-04:002015-06-08T22:11:00.325-04:00Garden Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUr6iXETB7Fha3R_IlWsQSMRymMiCePdK1tgWIX_1bJo5bvJMb2kS0QJmZ119fKJKfhuRU4VZ-E-5B-xPnZBPhIOKlzdAP2jBSNNl7IV6iIp7N0H5BuVIjzXavdK5r75P5CxuizN9bmiV/s1600/clematis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUr6iXETB7Fha3R_IlWsQSMRymMiCePdK1tgWIX_1bJo5bvJMb2kS0QJmZ119fKJKfhuRU4VZ-E-5B-xPnZBPhIOKlzdAP2jBSNNl7IV6iIp7N0H5BuVIjzXavdK5r75P5CxuizN9bmiV/s400/clematis.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div>
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Now that spring is really in full bloom, I've been spending much more of my spare time in the garden as opposed to the studio. It's a peaceful and inspirational place filled with quiet birdsong, dappled sunlight, and a constantly changing array of colors and textures. In the mornings, I putter around weeding and tidying up and on the weekends I tackle bigger tasks. I've managed to add a few more ferns and heucheras as well as some coleus for color. This morning, this velvety clematis finally bloomed on the iron obelisk I added last summer. So happy to see it! I have some morning glories sprouting below, so I hope to see the obelisk covered with those as the summer heats up.</div>
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I also created a new tree door in the fairy garden (someone who shall remain nameless chewed the last one I made!). The plants from last year are growing in nicely, including some sweet woodruff, golden creeping jenny, irish moss, periwinkle, and lots of volunteer violets. On the top left near the rocks there's a native plant that was here before I even put in the garden, which I think is a false solomon's seal. It looks graceful and lush, just right for this spot!</div>
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I also finally got some foxgloves! I ordered several from a catalog last spring and they've finally gotten big enough to bloom. The tall spikes add some much-needed height among all the low-growing plants. There are several in bloom now, but here is one next to the entry arbor.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWcy7Buz19jgvY4jrJrnKwYy8Q_W9GKxOfyLpqACVqTkOy9nBLAvCPfLUi_1tqORbh-IsGAsQHLB4B_0o5AAT7v8Itj6nBTbJlPsYrqOu79qROzRWtkK5fQ0GBoHL28GejEFupwIEYjGp/s1600/IMG_1984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWcy7Buz19jgvY4jrJrnKwYy8Q_W9GKxOfyLpqACVqTkOy9nBLAvCPfLUi_1tqORbh-IsGAsQHLB4B_0o5AAT7v8Itj6nBTbJlPsYrqOu79qROzRWtkK5fQ0GBoHL28GejEFupwIEYjGp/s400/IMG_1984.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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I also couldn't resist this scottish moss I found at a local garden center. It's fluffy and soft and should fill in between these stepping stones very nicely! It's bright green color and little star-shaped flowers make it a charming addition. Can't wait to see it spread!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-63Jm_7OdpEdj5tp0HAHYFfvG7mlMCptlOlqsubxoM3qrrWoocTjkMOJNSMRDa-kykkscQX-OwqZQZEnTyFS-DG2X3UL_D0aFfADbeMj1hU8X7PphWi3ciCAQeGVIMCyanstAZ1v1GFDF/s1600/IMG_1986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-63Jm_7OdpEdj5tp0HAHYFfvG7mlMCptlOlqsubxoM3qrrWoocTjkMOJNSMRDa-kykkscQX-OwqZQZEnTyFS-DG2X3UL_D0aFfADbeMj1hU8X7PphWi3ciCAQeGVIMCyanstAZ1v1GFDF/s400/IMG_1986.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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We had a very long spell of dry sunny weather and now seem to be in a humid, showery pattern. These mushrooms have begun to pop up everywhere! I don't mind them, as they look cute nestled among the hostas and other small plants.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytANUDn49wVrSmxnMmSMDtr18IkbSILt4b4BX2rb7OhTI8gXLlOmxqrhOHjYIdEh4NoBeZGIANpbbw2S9ambvC_PZapZcVxxmrC5cpYODAUzXsJEWSVULhXk-IodA1To8aM8JwUwaxm5p/s1600/IMG_1982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytANUDn49wVrSmxnMmSMDtr18IkbSILt4b4BX2rb7OhTI8gXLlOmxqrhOHjYIdEh4NoBeZGIANpbbw2S9ambvC_PZapZcVxxmrC5cpYODAUzXsJEWSVULhXk-IodA1To8aM8JwUwaxm5p/s400/IMG_1982.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Last but not least, I had my first iris bloom near the pond last week. These sprang up spontaneously next to my driveway several years ago and expanded enough to be divided when I put in the garden two years ago. They are doing well in this spot and it was thrilling to see this lovely flower, even if only for a few days.<br />
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Maybe I'll use the garden as inspiration for my next FANE piece, which has a size requirement of 18"x 36", but no set theme. I hope to get moving on that soon, as the summer has a way of flying by! Cindy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10572447203990829287noreply@blogger.com1