Mixed Media Art Quilts

I am so into these Art Quilts!  How freeing they are!!!  I spent yesterday sewing up a few ground pieces to stitch and glue and glitter and do whatever else I come up with to!  There's just no limit to what you can put on them.  If it can sewed, glued or wired on, by all means, have a ball!

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm working on an Art Quilt 101 tutorial which I expect to start posting next week.  It will be just one way of doing them.  A simple (get started) tutorial.  Gather your do-dads and fabrics and threads and whatever and get ready to have fun with that!

In the meantime, I just added Spring Song & Teatime Kittens to my Etsy shop:





They are signed and dated on the back and the quilt tags are removable.  I've just pinned them on using a hatpin!  It's so much fun to use unexpected things on these!

Early this morning, I started on this quilt, An Edwardian Lady:



Isn't she pretty?  I've used this image several times.  I just think she has the prettiest face!  Anyway, I just finished dying that vintage glove.  It was white but way too stark for this project so I dyed it with Rit Dye.  I don't use tea or coffee to dye anything!  Both have acid in them which as we all know, is not good for fabric or paper or old lace and so on.  Just use Rit dye.  It's available at WalMart in a zillion different colors!

I'll be heading out to play with this quilt a bit more before I have to make dinner.  I also picked up the new Bliss Victoria magazine and the new Jewelry Affair magazine by Somerset Studio.  I think I'll sit in my tub later and enjoy paging through those lovely books!

QUICK EDIT:  Because my brain is still not functioning normally!  If you want to try working with my Art Quilt tutorial next week, you'll need some tulle or netting.  Any light color that you like but not white.

Also, I've noticed that I have readers in all different parts of the world so I added the Google Translater to my sidebar.  I also know that many people use an RSS Feed.  I don't but if you like to use a feed, I've added that to my sidebar as well.

1916 Redeye Singer Treadle Sewing Machine

I haven't anything to share today really.  I just finished layering several pieces for new art quilts.  I took photos and will be writing up a tutorial for my readers who would like to give it a try.

In the meantime, I know I have a few new readers here so I thought I would share pictures of my beautiful 1916 Singer Redeye Treadle Sewing Machine.  I bought this a few years back:

My sweet husband striped and refinished the cabinet for me.  He also cleaned up the machine before I took it to Bill (the sewing machine man) for a good inside cleaning.  Here's a close up of the machine:

 













I have my grandmother's Singer electric machine from the 50's too.  I use that one for finishing as it's more precise.  But this one, oh, this is my baby!!!  It folds down into the cabinet but I always leave it open.  It's so pretty to look at!

Well, I have an order to put together and then to get dinner ready.  Taco Salad tonight!

Be sure to stay tuned for my Art Quilt 101 tutorial.  I expect to get that going next week.

Vintage Handkerchiefs Flea Market Finds

Yesterday, Scott & I picked mom up and we headed to Grayslake, Illinois Fairgrounds for the Flea Market & Antique Show.   Oh, do I love going there!!!  We had a good time but didn't find anything all that grand.  I picked up a few more vintage handkerchiefs, some more vintage pink buttons and a little bag of plastic fans:



I'm planning on making myself a Marie Antoinette Art Quilt.  I saw the fans and thought, "oooh!  How perfect those will be!"

And pink buttons, well, I will adopt any vintage pink buttons that need good homes!  I have a weakness.  Kind like with cats & dogs.  I just love them!

This hankie reminded me of my husband's grandma:



Grandma Kellogg loved pansies!  She talked about them all the time.  The minute I saw this one, I thought of her and had to have it.

So those are my Flea Market Treasures for this week.  Our all time ever favorite Flea Market is this coming Sunday in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.  I cannot wait!  I find the best stuff there for the best prices!  And it's huge.  Hope I have the energy to walk the entire show. 

In other news, I spent the morning finishing up on my 2 latest Art Quilts.  First is Spring Song:



When Scott gets home, I need him to trim that branch down for me on the left side.  My hand isn't strong enough get through it with yard cutters. 

I also finished up on Teatime Kittens:



All that's left to do on this is make the quilt tag.  I'd like to do that today but I'm out of steam.

I know my medication is too high now.  I've asked my Dr. 2 times now if we can drop the dosage a little bit.  And I was told no.  So, I have an appt. with a new Dr. in 2 weeks.  She's been highly recommended by several people.  I talked to her this morning and I can already tell that I like her a lot and will be comfortable with her.

Well, that's my new for today.  More tomorrow!

Happy Mother's Day!

Here's a photo of my mom & one of her dogs:

We'll be picking mom up around 8 this morning and heading off to the Flea Market in Grayslake, Il.  Keep your fingers crossed that we find loads of fun goody's!

Patriotic Home Decor

Just some photos for today everyone.  I'm quite tired now and still have to cook some chicken (cook is a dirty word!) and clean my bathroom.  These are our 4th of July home decor do-dads:













All are now available here.

Tomorrow we have flea market to go to.  Scott & I will pick mom up and head up there.  Keep your fingers crossed that I we find some great do-dads!