Art Squared

 

I'm in a new Online art group started by Sue Bleiweiss called Art Squared  http://artsquaredgroup.blogspot.com

 The idea is that we can make something, anything in any media as long as it is square. Each of us in turn will name a theme. This time it is Magical.  I didn't realize how hard it would be to photograph or scan blue green on blue green, so the photo is not great. I started with a needlefelted background in wool roving. The design is in Ultrasuede and is hand beaded. To me felt and beading are magical.

Here is a detail of the center.

Crochet

I took the www.craftsy.com class on Broomstick lace-hadn't done it in years. The first project was a glasses case, but I have plenty-taught a crazy quilt class with that as a project. I decided to do a second piece and make a small purse. It is lined with gray polyester and the buttons are vintage. The handle is a decorator trim I bought at Fabric Depot.

Art and Soul

Art and Soul is in Portland next week and I'm taking 5 classes. See you in a week.
Be sure to check out the new art challenge Art Squared for the reveal on Oct. 1 http://artsquaredgroup.blogspot.com

Felt

This is an 8" square piece that is needle felted with a thick and thin yarn. I liked the swirl in the middle and decided to use that as the main part of the design by hand stitching around it. The black beads are vintage and spiral out using slightly smaller ones in the middle.

DVD

Sue Bleiweiss has made a wonderful DVD for Interweave Press. She is very thorough and shares everything you need to know about dyeing the fabrics and making the quilt. I learned a lot and I've been doing this for a long time. I love this series of quilts she's been making.

Quilt

 I love to stitch. The leaves came from a design I did years ago. The background is a batik. Once I had done the leaves, I started placing the flowers. The way I work is to make a certain type being sure to distribute them across the piece. Then I work on the next type of flower. The shisha is actually large sequins. The piece is about 30" by 24". It's machine quilted. As much as I like to hand stitch, I don't like to hand quilt.

The detail shows the flowers better.

Knitting

This is the necklace from a kit by Laura Nelkin http://www.nelkindesigns.com   She has tutorial to explain different techniques in addition to the directions in the pattern. A friend gave me the kit, so we could work it together. It's the first time I've knitted beads in.