Seasons Thread Tree Art Quilt

I mentioned in an earlier post working on an art quilt with the thread trees I have been making. I am going to only put up what I can scan because my camera is recharging and I am submitting this quilt to the county fair tomorrow. This will be my first submission! Try to imagine the pictures in the order of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and you will have the basic idea. Wish me luck.

Advice from a Tree

This fall I did am edition of hand illustrated books to the beautiful poem Advice From a Tree. I used some of the thread trees on the cover that I mentioned in an earlier post. One of the things I am working on right now is an art quilt called 'Seasons' based on the thread tree idea. I hope to post it here soon.
I am also working on a doll of the night sky with actual lights incorporated in her design. More to come.

Terrific Quote

My 4 1/2 yr old son today:
Mommy, if I saw God I would say "God, you make butterflies sooo cool!"

Earth Oven

This week my youngest and myself went to my friend Tish's house and earned two of these shirts designed by Tish herself. Tish, along with many friends and family, is building an Earth Oven. This is an outside clay oven with a brick base. My son and I helped lay the outside cobb (a kind of clay and straw brick) and place the layer of insulation between outside and inside layer. Tish's son took a video of my son packing the cobb. Check it out below. One packs cobb by stomping on it. My son, who is four, danced and jumped with great enthusiasm to pack the cobb. I am certain this was his favorite part of the process. Many other people have been involved in this process and if you want more information, check out this bulletin board. Here is another blogger's more involved entry.

Egyptian Fairy Doll Finished!

Finally, this weekend I was able to deliver the Egyptian Fairly that my young friend and I have been collaborating on. She was great to work with and came up with the design for the hair, features, belt, wings and jewelry. We used Barbara Graff's Woman pattern and I designed her shift (dress) after the Kris Waldherr picture I posted earlier. I also provided the technical expertise and materials. I am quite pleased with our collaboration!

Refinished Sewing Table

I purchased this beautiful table at a yard sale a couple of years ago. This photo is how it looks refinished. Admittedly, I have been using it as a sewing table since it was purchased and it was flaking varnish, had all kinds of water stains and scratches. Ew.
This is my first refinishing job. It was pretty simple job which I did outside. I coated the table with a soy based paint/varnished remover recommended to me by a woodworker enthusiast friend and used the scraper to remove the varnish, then washed off the remover with the garden hose. I alternated painting the table with varnish and sanding it.
The table is not perfect but I am so pleased with how it turned out.

Sewing another Chuppa

Site: Mayflower Hotel. Photo courtesy Steve Whysall Photography
I would love to say that I have been working on my art lately but the truth is I have been working on a new chuppa for my friends at Petal's Edge Floral Design. They really do beautiful work and I am glad to help them out. The photo above was one of the first chuppas I made for them. It is really beautifully photographed. When I do get back to work on the art, it will be to finally finish the Egyptian fairy I am working on with my young friend.