Mary Ann Moss - PURE EXPERIMENTATION - "Remains of the Day" Fabric and Paper Shabby Journal - DAY ONE

One of my favorite on-line blogging art friends directed me to a course yesterday.  I was looking for a recommendation since taking an underwhelming on-line workshop just before Christmas, I'm leary to sign on to anything without references from people I know and trust.    Sidebar:  It pays to get recommendations from others before you sign on and give away your hard earned money.

Though I've only completed Part One of the course taught by Mary Ann Moss, I already know I've gotten my money's worth.  Her class is, what she terms "fully loaded" - oodles of videos and PDF files to download and read.  The first seven videos (approx 5-8 minutes each) that I've already watched were clear, precise and very instructional.  You can check out a quick demo video here.    Look for the "Remains of the Day" sidebar on the right hand side of her blog.

Below is my 'work in progress' after watching Part One of her videos and reading through the accompanying PDF file which was a great back up resource to refer to while I was creating the cover.  I decided to make my journal cover LARGE so that I could utilize all sizes of papers up to 12 inches and I have some precut large sheets of Arches text woven paper that will fit wonderfully when I begin to make the signatures.

I had a large piece of fabric left over from another project that I used as the base and then over top of it I stitched on a large doily that I found inside an antique banker's bookcase in our home.  I suspect it was from a relative.  A little too much pink in it, but I'll tackle that tomorrow.

Above, is the inside - I have a weakness for Asian characters and found this fabric a long time ago. 

At first glance, right now it looks more like a handbag "clutch" than it does a journal book.  But, after the installation of a few funky signatures, I think it's destiny will be well matched.  Tomorrow I'll be working on the tutorial dealing with creating a wrap around 'ribbon' made again out of scraps sewn together and attached to a ....  haven't gotten that far yet!  There is one very difficult part to taking part in this on-line course - attempting to get anything else done during the day including eating !   Heh, maybe this is the secret to weight loss?  Why not join in?  And, if you do.... please let me know !

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This one just made me giggle - I hope you will too!

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In the mail from Hermine

Regardless of where my travels take me, I always look forward to  coming  home. Even better, is coming home to some mail from art friends!  Over the next few days, as I settle back into my 'routine', I'll be posting photos to share with you the contents of some of the wonderful surprises and goodies I've received over the past little while.

 photos by Hermine

Above, is a 4 x 8 "skinny" fabric page  adorned with lace, ribbons, gears with letters spelling 'time' and the words LIVE LIFE plus time pieces galore!   I received from Hermine in The Netherlands.  Also enclosed  a beautiful  Christmas gothic arch collage. 

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My Favorite Pal

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Celebrating Snow

Santa brought me a lovely cold on Christmas Eve  this year and so, in between sneezes, coughs,  naps, neo-citron, advil and kleenex boxes, I've bundled up my body and  snuck  outside  in ten minute intervals to snap a few photographs attempting to capture the magic of the snow.  I confess, it's much more enjoyable to view them on the computer screen than behind the lens of my camera.  My favorite is the snow 'frost' against the window.  Best viewed large.

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"s a c r e d "    8x12 digital   available on ETSY here

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From old family photo to a "Pillow- Cloth Sachet" - a gift for my Aunt Doris

My Aunt Doris was recently moved from her home to an assisted living facility and I decided I wanted to make something special for her new 'home.'  I found this old photograph taken in 1930 of my Mom and her 5 siblings. 

I scanned it into my laptop and altered it, taking away much of the background and digitally added the colors.  My Aunt Doris is now dressed in pink, next to my Mom in yellow. They were 2 years apart in age, and always very close.

Here it is printed out onto cloth, machine stitched, embroidered  and several different dimensional elements added to it, buttons, beads and charms.  I recently received a huge parcel of antique laces from Hermine who was kind enough to 'shop for me' when she attended a recent annual antique sale in The Netherlands.   The cream thin lace is part of the great stash I have now.   Thanks Hermine - you can see I've already found a use for a bit of it!

Below, you can see Uncle Fred (the baby and only boy   in the family) being held by Aunt Jeannette (the eldest ) and my Aunt Kay.

This photo was taken about 3 years before their father died and my grandmother raised all of her six children plus adopted another son (not in this photo) The sixth sister in the teal coat, is Aunt Gladys.  Our extended family would spend Thanksgiving at her home in the country each year.  It was a big celebration - 26 in total   divided equally between adults and children.

I added what I thought was a perfect quote "The love of a family is life's greatest blessing."

 

Since my cousin told me they had decorated my Aunt Doris's new home in blues and chocolate brown, I found some left over fabric from another project to compliment her decor.  It is a sweet size - about 9 inches square, but I lined it in the same fabric and added snaps so that she can also use it as a cloth sachet if she doesn't want it as a toss cushion.

Here it is pictured without the pillow stuffing inside.

I am excited to pay her a visit this holiday season and hope that the photograph which she may not have seen for 40-50 years, may bring back warm memories of her sisters and brother who I know all have a very special spot in her heart.  She is the only one left.

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"The Mystic Picture"

"The Mystic Picture" digital approx. 6 x 9.5 inches

This is one of my most favorite collages to date.  I love the clarity and color combinations.   Although you may not be able to see the detail here, it started out as an exquisite corpse collage with the tiny black and white ear.   I apologize for the tiny size of this piece here - copy protected.  Available as a high resolution art print on Etsy here.

PS - I added a second watermarked image that you can click on to view large. 

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Musing on Christian holidays...

In spite of my best efforts to focus on other priorities, Eleanor has had me fixated on various musings surrounding Christian holidays, my own spiritual beliefs, how I was raised and various traditions and customs that have been present throughout my life.

As a result, over the past 2 weeks as I consider what rings true to me, these two collages came to life....

Please 'see' the reverence I hold for these celebrations and for what it symbolizes to me most... the spirit of giving.  My sincere apologies for those of you who may have misinterpreted my art or have taken offense and wish you especially the best of all that life offers.

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Winter-Summer

Some of you may recall the photos of views from our home I posted in the summer.  I'm still getting accustom to the recent snow fall.  My car isn't and because I use my garage as a studio, it is currently sitting outside under two or more feet of snow frozen solid.  Normally, the morning after a blizzard I enjoy looking for animal foot prints in the freshly fallen snow.  Oddly, there isn't a trace of any indication of wildlife in our yard this time around.  The deer must have burrowed into a snow cave somewhere to keep warm.  Today, I'll fill the bird feeders.  I don't do that until I am sure I can keep them full throughout the winter.  I'll have to stock up once I dig the car out!

What's fascinating to me  is the difference in the color of the paint on the patio doors.  I assume it's a result of the sunlight reflecting off the snow and creating a blue hue.  I much prefer the warmer golden tones.

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Sunday Postcard Art - Theme: "Santa"

"Believe" - 4x6 inch digital

View the other Santa Postcards at Sunday Postcard Art.    Click on the "S" to view large.

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Mail Art Digital Collage - just for fun

Version 1

Version 2

These little digital collages are a result of a challenge at The Recollection Parlor where someone lists 6-7 items and challenges the others to create a collage from it.  This particular collage:  man, horse, flower, time, architecture, piece of jewelry and a feather.  Join in if you like?  I'd love to see other interpretations as each is always radically different from the other.

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New Fabric Page

 work in progress...better viewed large...


Quote:  Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life,  love gives us a fairy tale.  Author Unknown

I am quite certain, I enjoy the 'landscape' of these photos as much, if not more than the actual page! To me, they reflect the feel and experience of creating them better than the finished piece does. Oh what to do about that?  I've been watching videos and learning how to embroider, again (after the 'hippy' days when I used to embroider on my boyfriend's jean shirts!)  Now, hmmm....close to 40 years later, I'm back at it.

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