RedPantyCrafts

More New Art Quilts

2012-01-27T20:34:00.000-08:00

It's 11:34pm, and I've finished a few more pieces for the exhibit for February at 83 Gallery! (They're also on Facebook!) The black & white and the Black & Red are pieces I silk-screened my very own self, thank you very much!

The bouquet of "roses" goes along with the whole Valentine series (a little creepy)

yay!

Valentine Hearts

2012-01-21T11:36:00.000-08:00

....and here are 2 finished Valentines! Yay!

I used madiera metallic thread on the ex voto heart, for a little sparkle!

Hearts for Valentines

2012-01-18T11:02:00.000-08:00

I'm making new work for February, as I am one of 3 featured artists at 83 Gallery in the Short North that month! Very excited, only a tad bit worried about getting it all finished.

I'm expanding my Valentine: anatomical heart series. Had to replace Burning Love, which sold last year (yay!) and am doing a larger one, "Hearts and Flowers", thinking about stitching a bony hand holding the creepy "flowers". It all depends on how cold it gets in the studio, and how much my own right hand hurts. Yep, that blasted trigger thumb is a bitch, people. Surgery is scheduled, though, so there's hope down the road!

Super Couponing

2012-01-13T09:55:00.001-08:00

Dear Daughter and I have watched just about all the reality shows in the weeks that she's been on break, and one of our favs has been Extreme Couponing. I'm still not sure exactly how they manage to do it, but DD & I have decided to really give it a try, and see what we can do.

Yesterday, we went to CVS & Kroger's, armed with DD's research and packets of coupons. At CVS, we stocked up on some laundry detergent, personal and beauty items. After the store discounts, store coupon and manufacturer's coupon, we saved 50% PLUS got a $10 CVS card! At Kroger's we stocked up on personal items, some pasta, cleaning stuff, and saved 42% after all the store sale prices, e-coupons loaded on my Kroger's card, manufacturer's coupons, plus bonus savings.

It's not the stunning 90-99% savings they get on TV, but way better than I would normally do! I'm hoping to do even better each time; we would have done better at Krogers, but we missed some fine print; if we had broken up our purchases into 2 transactions, we'd have saved another $4.

Our goal is to get a nice stockpile going, so this summer when I'm off work from the museum, we'll be good!

Heart and Soul

2012-01-09T13:55:00.000-08:00

Just hung a nice little show, "Heart and Soul", at The Works in Newark. A really great space, with an art gallery, children's area, lots of glass blowing, ceramics, all kinds of workshops. The main draw is the Ohio Art League juried 3-D show in the museum, but I'm just across the courtyard!

If you take the link above, they mention me at the bottom of the page. Just found out today, there's a reception this Friday the 13th from 6-8pm, so I'll be there! Wine and fruit!

Oooohhhh.....so full!

2011-12-27T18:23:00.000-08:00

So much food!

So many presents!

So much fun!

Big piles of wrapping paper, family surrounded by their toys, Spook looking a bit dazed and confused, the AWESOME steampunk gun Dear Daughter MADE me! (nerf gun, painted and embellished, SUPER COOL!)

All the presents I was making got finished in the nick of time (I wrecked my sewing machine on the last one!) I made a few more Etsy sales, very exciting! Dear Daughter & I have been watching marathon TV for 5 days; Hoarders, What Not to Wear, Extreme Couponing; all the stuff I won't watch when she's gone.

Looking forward to a couple of days straightening up and cleaning out, to welcome in the New Year!

Etsy Shop Expanding

2011-12-19T08:46:00.000-08:00

With the news that Go Figure Consignment would be closing at the end of the year, I was understandably worried about what to do with all my Red Panty clothing inventory. So I've been listing it in my Etsy shop, 4 pieces last Thursday, 6 pieces yesterday.

I've already sold 3 pieces to one lucky lady, so this will hopefully bring added momentum to both my shop and myself! I need to move this stuff, people! I must make room for new pieces of spring fashion, and my rack in the studio is full to bursting right now.

Selling something to someone who likes it is definitely a motivator; I want to get in there and make lots of new stuff! Although right now, it's all about the Christmas presents I have to make....lots of them!

So try to find some peace during this holiday season, and I'll post pics of all the gifties being created in the barn!

Christmas Kitty!

2011-12-07T04:28:00.001-08:00

Snapple, who says she's invisible because she's hiding behind the tree!

Handmade Holiday Pledge 2011

2011-12-06T17:42:00.000-08:00

Handmade Holiday Pledge 2011

I am pledging that at least 50% of my gifts this year will be handmade, either by me or some other amazing artist! Oh, and I'm hoping that MY work will be snatched up by others to keep the handmade holiday going strong!

Lots of ready-to-ship goodies at the Etsy Shop!

The year comes to a close

2011-12-06T12:24:00.000-08:00

It's rainy again (or is that still?) I'm busy at the museum (which is good) and I'm trying to get the house decorated for Christmas and the holidays. I've got the green tree up and decorated, the pink tree up without decorations. I've unpacked lots of other little trees, and stored some of the normal objects I surround myself with, to make room for glittering little cardboard houses and manger scenes.

I feel like I'm on a roller coaster, though, with lots of exciting things, and lots of worrisome things hitting me from all sides.

Exciting: gave a presentation to the Delaware Artist Guild about my Red Panty clothing, learned to use Powerpoint for said presentation, got paid and sold a piece at presentation, sold another item on Etsy, have many many MANY gifts to be sewn before Christmas, started using Pinterest which is a really fun site to collect things from around the web into 1 place, wrestling a teensy bit of responsibility for scheduling from my control-freak boss, preparing for a show of my work in Newark, anticipating a lovely Christmas break at home with beloved daughter, family, friends, etc.

Worrisome: losing Go Figure as a retail outlet for the Red Panty Clothing, worrying about Sherri from Go Figure who is closing due to some health concerns, have many many MANY gifts to be sewn before Christmas, responsibility for scheduling the Library gallery, preparing for a show of my work in Newark, a long Christmas break with no work and no paycheck, beloved daughter in her final week of projects and papers and exams as she struggles to keep it together. sigh!

I am trying to maintain an attitude of open, willing, and wide-eyed wonder through this month, and keep casting around for alternatives, opportunities and possibilities. The whole "closes a door, opens a window" type of viewpoint. I'm looking for outlets for my art, my clothing, my friendship, my energy. I know I will find them.

Sometimes we become so comfortable where we are, we stop looking ahead to the next great thing, and are taken by surprise when things change. As they always do. ALWAYS!

I flipped through my notebook last week, which serves as a sort of journal for me. I don't sketch, I don't do dairy entries, but I make lists. LOTS of them! I stumbled upon a list I made last January, of blessings to be thankful for in the new year. I can still count them all! Under my "plans" for 2011, I did cross a few off. The few I didn't cross off, I guess I'll just use first in my new list for next year.

So I continue to gather up images, ideas, contacts and entry forms, and make lists of all the possibilities. And I continue to be thankful for all my blessings, which includes every single friend!

Ana placing third!

2011-11-16T07:51:00.001-08:00

Ana placing third! a video by wallacetammy41 on Flickr.

The first Saturday in November was the first Equestrian event for the College of Wooster's Western team this semester. Up in the beautiful University of Findlay's facilities. This was Ana's first ride of the day!

Kreepy Kandy Korn and Kashmere Kuties

2011-10-28T08:16:00.000-07:00

I hate wasting scraps of fabrics, and since I had nice chunks of cashmere sweater left after the Kashmere Kitties, dear daughter suggested making little owls with the scraps! I think they're adorable; of course she went back to school with the first 2 I finished. I'll be listing them in the Etsy shop later today.

Craft Magazine had a super cute pattern last week, so I had to knit it up, and it was super easy and quick: Killer Kandy Korn! They have lots of cools ideas every day, and I was thrilled to find something so quick and easy to knit up from bits of yarn I already had, yay!

Halloween Owl Mittens

2011-10-21T11:06:00.001-07:00

Finished these, finally! Found them in the art barn, 1 mitten needing a thumb, the other just needed the tip of the top + thumb.

Took them to the Beehive Knitting group last week, and the results of 2 hours? Had to rip it out 3 times! Argh!

But, now they're finished, and just in time for Halloween fun! yay! My own charted design based on the Hello Knitty basic mitten template, and I thought I'd try to figure out how to make it a free download. So other people can join in the fun!

Kashmere Kitties are here!

2011-10-19T11:53:00.000-07:00

I've fondled the 100% cashmere sweaters at the thrift shop so often, only to be disappointed by a hole (or two!) or the wrong size, or any number of reasons. Well, as I am a very tactile person, I finally thought of a re-use for those super-soft sweaters: Kashmere Kitties!

I used my Ghost Kitty pattern, and after a HOT wash and dry, cut out some kitties in cashmere....oh MY they are soft!

I've listed the first batch in my Etsy shop, and dear daughter has already demanded one of the first black ones as I finish them. Still tricky for me, the hand-sewing. Handling scissors is sooooo painful. But they're just so cute!

OH....also got to re-name my Etsy shop this week! Now it reflects where I am at this time of my life: Red Panty Designs! yay!

Pattern Play

2011-10-06T12:24:00.000-07:00

Trying something new; I really like the Ghost Kitties that I offer in my etsy shop, but right now, my thumb is so hurtful it's difficult to do the handsewing.

SOOOooo, I've made a pattern to sell! Ghost Kitty can now go out and haunt the whole wide world! I've done a pdf file that I can email to a buyer, so they'll get it almost instantly depending on how close I am to my computer. It's hand drawn, with typed out instructions. Not as super fancy as a commercial pattern, but hey, I'm not commercial!

I also give permission for the buyer to make as many as they like, and sell them for cash money, as long as they don't sell them on line. Make them for craft bazaar, or whatever, just please don't compete with me online! I thought that was fair. And no copying the pattern and passing it out, either.

Really hoping to generate a bit more business, and trying to set Ghost Kitty loose!

Vintage Becky M: Memories

2011-09-26T07:38:00.000-07:00

I got an Etsy buddy for the holidays! I signed up for the Etsy bootcamp, to work on my shop and promote myself for the holidays. They give you a To Do list, a buddy to kick you into gear, so I'm looking around for a model here in town so I can do new photos for my clothing.

check out Vintage Becky, her shop is pretty cool! She's also got a sweet Blog! Gotta support my Buddy!

Yep, it's my gray hair!

2011-08-31T12:07:00.000-07:00

with a sassy fringe of purple bangs.....that's all my natural color (or lack of it) finally, after getting it trimmed for the past 4 months. It took me 2 months to accept myself in the mirror, but now I'm loving it, so much less upkeep, no disparaging looks when I let the roots go untouched for too long, it's just hair! and if i want to add a pop of color, no bleaching first!

It can't be the end of the summer yet!

2011-08-26T08:47:00.001-07:00

There are SOOoooo many projects and trips and books and movies I haven't caught up with.

Tomorrow, I take dear daughter back to college for her Senior Year....wow! Incredible how quickly it's gone, and how much she's accomplished so far.

She did help me paint another room in the new house (can I still call it new after the first year?) A lovely blue, "Aqua Spray", and I'm still putting final touches on the decor, but I already think the room looks larger, more open and airy.

So many entries creeping their way in to my fall calendar now; receptions and meetings and work, musical events of my own and my friends. Lots and lots of Art Barn activity on the agenda, too: must create new art quilts for my upcoming exhibit in Newark; must create the fall Red Panty clothes...I think we'll aim to do the live mannequins in the window again, on a Gallery Hop night. It was a lot of fun in July!

Must keep up with the exercise, since it really helped get me in better shape over the summer. Although, I won't be hiking in boots and backpack in sweltering heat anymore. All that digging and sifting with Dear Daughter did help me lose a bit of weight, though; I've got to take in nearly every pair of pants and shorts I own. I've walked to work a few days already, but unfortunately, I have to carry extra clothes, as I do not arrive as fresh as I'd like.

Must create a new Equestrian shirt for Dear Daughter, for her final year of riding. More sparkles, I think. Maybe with a touch of the Wooster plaid.

Looking for a good bruschetta recipe to use up the bumper crop of Roma tomatoes I've got....planted them in topsoil bags, and they've been staked and double-staked, and are still falling over, they're so laden with goodness! Sadly, the basil-flavored olive oil I put up MOLDED over. So had to dump it....and I've used nearly every drop that I made last year....maybe I'll do pesto with the rest of my basil, and freeze it. I love the summery taste!

And still trying to keep up with family and friends who deserve more attention than I've been giving them lately....I need to make more lists (there's that OCD again!)

Live Mannequins wear Red Panties!

2011-07-22T20:37:00.000-07:00

Because it's so HOT outside and so super COOL at Go Figure!

Last night was a Block Party for the businesses in the Short North between 1st & 2nd, and I worked hard to deliver a dozen new pieces to Sherri. We asked some of our beautiful friends to model, and although the original plan was to have them strut their stuff down the sidewalk and visit the other businesses, it was just too unbearable outside. So, out popped the window displays and up popped our live mannequins! They were adorable!

Lots of friends stopped by, including my Mom showing off her very own Red Panty creation (Christmas gift). Sherri & I would definitely like to do the window models again; the passers-by were delighted! As were the bus riders as they stopped at the light!

You can check out a couple very short Videos on the Red Panty Designs page on Facebook, or down this blog, through my Flickr page!

I'm hoping to take a breath or two now, before I start the next couple of projects I'd like to work on, before the Museum opens again in August (which is only about a week away, what's up with that??)

I've also been doing a little more personal, spiritual, preparation...trying to stay positive, thankful, humble, open, grateful, awestruck, and working on being more giving, forgiving, forthcoming and generous in every way. Those of you who know me personally know what a tall order that is for me, because I am not normally a nice person! But hey, change happens every day!

A Day of Rest

2011-06-29T08:24:00.000-07:00

Ana declared today a rest day, no hiking or digging! So I ventured out to the Art Barn for the first time in 3 weeks, and whipped up 2 Raglan tops that I'd cut out earlier, and took some photos of the new Yo-Yo necklaces!

Here's Ana in one of the new tops; She's so pretty! She helped me re-discover some good thrift shop finds in the Barn that I'll be recycling soon.

Here are the new necklaces; I'm very torn, should I list these on Etsy or hold them for the Block Party in July?? Go Figure Consignment and the other businesses on the block have been feeling like the ugly stepsister of the Short North lately. Even though they're all members, they never get featured and events never seem to make it all the way north to them. And they're really not that far! So July 21st they're having a block party, staying open late, and we'll have some Red Panty Models roaming the block in new fashions! Yay!

Bugs, dirt and Chert!

2011-06-06T16:30:00.000-07:00

or...How I spent my summer vacation!! Helping dear daughter with her approved excavation at a Metro Park!

Last week we spend 3 days hiking to and from the site, doing soil probes, sticking little orange flags in the ground at promising places.

Today, one of the park rangers gave us a lift in the pickup, helping get our equipment VERY close to the site! We still had to slog it over extremely wooded terrain, til I nearly thought I should just give up! But we're starting at an interior point, and we got the 2-meter square pegged, cleared, and started digging!! Well, scraping, really! and guess what?? We've already found artifacts! Yes!!!

Little flakes of chert, commonly called flint, that show signs of being worked! Here's Ana bagging & tagging her first find! Check out the close up photos over on HER blog, Ana's Geoarchaeology Journey!

More uses for Yo-Yo's!

2011-05-26T04:27:00.000-07:00

Much as I enjoy making pretty yo-yo headbands, I wondered if there wasn't something else I could do with them! and the answer is....YES!

I made 2 sample necklaces and took them down to Go Figure yesterday with the new tops, and Sherri was still wearing the green one when I left! I guess I'll be making more, and also listing them soon on Etsy!

I'm a travelling Gal!

2011-05-23T16:27:00.000-07:00

This week is a busy one; took Dear Daughter to Wooster today to pick up equipment for her archaeological dig which starts THURSDAY!!! YAY!!

Tomorrow I go to Newark to interview for an exhibit of my quilts at a lovely new art space....wish me luck!

Wednesday I buzz to the Short North to see Sherri at Go Figure, and I'm taking a few new items that I just finished today. I love the raglan pattern, it's so comfortable, very flattering!

Where are You going this week??

Careful what you wish for!

2011-05-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

....because you might get it with a vengeance! Was it a mere 7 days ago I was bemoaning the constant rain? Now what do we have....muggy, super warm, no relieving rain yet! Oh well!

On the other hand, I HAVE received blessings on the financial side! I made another sale on Etsy, and completed a commissioned Red Panty top, too! My ebay selling has stayed solid, and my spirits are up, hoping to avoid the greeter job at Walmart!

I'm inspired to work again in the Art Barn, making more Red Panty tops for both the Etsy shop and Go Figure Consignment in the Short North. Sherrie and I have an appointment set to talk about another Fashion Show....we need a bigger Venue! and that's the tough part.

I've found some fun skirts at the thrift recently and can't wait to rip 'em apart for something new.

What are YOU having fun with?

Working for a living

2011-05-06T08:59:00.001-07:00

ugh, after a lovely Thursday, and a promising start to today, it's raining again! It could definitely be worse; there are so many counties under flood watches and warnings, and I'm dry for the moment!

This month is starting off well; I'll be working every single day for the next 2 weeks, which means extra hours in the paycheck before the museum closes for the summer and I start to panic about how I'm going to pay my bills. I think I will have enough to pay my bills through June without having to start a summer job!

On the plus side, my ebay sales are improving: I find the more items I have listed at a time, the better I usually sell. Also, I started raising my prices a bit last month, and do you know, I think I'm selling more? Maybe it is all about perceived value; I've heard craftsmen selling at festivals say that when they raise prices, they sometimes sell more. If something is priced too low, people think it must be subpar.

Also, I sold a Red Panty top yesterday on Etsy; I feel giddy with happiness! I think my clothing are a hard on-line sell; they are all so individual, so unique, and half the pleasure comes in trying them on and seeing how they feel on your own body. So for some in Maine to take a leap of faith and purchase one of my tops really makes me feel great and nervous at the same time. Hoping they like it when it arrives!

In honor of the rain, I snapped some pics of the retaining wall behind the museum; the moss and lichen fairly glow in the drizzle, and I just think it so beautiful!

New recycled Top for ME!

2011-05-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

I realize I've got oodles of sewing to do for my Red Panty Line, tops that are cut out and just waiting to be brought to life. However, I wasted away Sunday and realized that I needed a new top just for ME!

So I combined a big shapeless linen dress and a graphic t shirt, and came up with this!

I really love it, the linen is a sort of gold color, and the pretty lady on the T shirt needed a new home.

Now maybe I can get back to work on RP stuff. And yes, that is a new haircut.....I'm cutting out the color, and going to my natural gray....that way the Purple dye will look every so much more shocking!

Logos and Labels

2011-04-30T10:20:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness when I hired an internet designer to create the Red Panty Designs logo years ago, I thought to pay her to own the Copyright for the design!

I ordered my Hang Tags and Clothing Labels from her, but the last time I tried, she's apparently closed her business. I had, however, paid her for the copyright to the design, so that I could use it myself however I wished and not have to pay her for usage each time!

So, here's my first try at printing out some Clothing labels myself. Not nearly as nice as the ones she did for me, but nice and servicable!

I think Spring has Sprung!

2011-04-11T05:13:00.000-07:00

I can see pink and green buds all over the place! and I finally saw some forsythia blooming here in town.....yay!

It looks like spring in the Art Barn, too: I finished a dozen yo-yo headbands, more of the Ruffle tops, and this pretty green Raglan top....I was VERY tempted to keep it for myself! I found a top and pants from the Willow label at the thrift, they're linen, and the pants had these pockets near the hemline. Add some nice black knit for sleeves, and voila!

Spring 2011 - It's Here!

2011-04-06T18:12:00.000-07:00

Yay! I know, it's been so long, maybe I forgot to post to my blog? I've just been busy sewing my fingers to the bone! I've got a new style for 2011 (actually, I've featured it earlier, but I'm doing it again) and some pretty spring colors, too!

Here are a couple of the spirit-lifting colors. I'm doing these in 3 sizes, too, so everyone gets to have fun.

Here's Sherri at Go Figure Consignment, when I dropped off a fresh batch....she's modelling the new Raglan styled top, recycled from a thrifted skirt. I don't think she's going to take it off, either!

Tonight I'm watching South Park and hand sewing some scrap yo-yo headbands for the shop.

Spreading the word about ReCycling, RePurposing!

2011-03-15T07:31:00.000-07:00

Oooo, I have a group of Home Ec teachers and students planning a Studio Visit to see what I do! I feel so semi-professional.....of course you realize, this means I must straighten up and get prepared!

I've offered to take them thru my "process".....I'll show them my pile of thrift shop finds, how I prepare them for re-purposing, layout and cutting out my patterns, and show them some finished samples. Then take them all to the big Goodwill store so they can plan their own!! Yay! spreading the word about re-cycling!

I feel like a real, downtown designer!

Spoke too soon!

2011-03-10T14:18:00.000-08:00

I should have known I'd jinx myself on Monday! Not only has it rained for 2 days, now it's supposed to snow like the dickens tonight!

Well, here is the new tunic top I finished Monday; I made myself a longer version to wear as a dress.

In like a March Lion...

2011-03-07T13:32:00.001-08:00

for Weeks now I've felt as though I didn't even have the will to live; bleak, grey days, dark so early, cold, snowy, wet....I was uninspired and disgusted at myself for not having an ounce of initiative!

But it's a new month, and while it's cold, the rains have finally stopped and the sun came out today. I have the day off, and have spent a bit of time in the art barn...yay!

This is what I've worked on today:

Cut out a black & white toile knit dress for myself, to coordinate with a cute linen jacket I got at the thrift-dress is 1/2 sewn together!

Cut out a black & white toile knit top to sell-finished it, too!

Used the scraps to cut circles for yo-yo's...I want to make a cute coordinating pin to wear, and it's just as easy to cut alot as it is to cut 1

Sewed up some new Ghost Bunnies and Ghost Kitties in white, since Easter is on its way

I did buy some good fiberfill yesterday; I had a nice bag of it, but unfortunately, it wouldn't stay in the little ears and arms! It was Soooo soft, Soooo un-clumpy. However, when you're stuffing creatures, you need a certain degree of "clump"!

Anyway, I intend to cuddle up on the couch this evening with my decidedly UN-ghost-like Snapple and stuff up some new stuffies!

OWOH Winner!

2011-02-18T09:00:00.001-08:00

The Winner of the One World One Heart blog giveaway is Michaele, from Twigs and Tulle blog! She'll receive my new little Ghost Owl. Thanks again to everyone who participated, and especially to Whimsical Bohemian for organizing such a lovely event. I constantly refer to the blogroll of participants, finding new and exciting places to visit....you should, too!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T05:24:00.000-08:00

No hearts and flowers, but a picture of my favorite Valentine from Saturday. College of Wooster Equestrian Team at the first show of 2011. Ana rode for the first time in a new class, and in her second show got a 3rd!! Yay! She's wearing the new jacket I just finished; it looks so pretty close up, but I noticed when she was in the ring, it was very muted....which isn't necessarily a bad thing, her coach isn't a big fan of the bling!

OwOH One World One Heart Blog Giveaway!!!

2011-01-31T20:37:00.000-08:00

It's that time again.....the OWOH Blog extravaganza!!! A Whimsical Bohemian has organized this for the past 5 years; there are already 500...yes, FIVE HUNDRED blogs participating, and it's only day One! To see the full list of participants, click on the link above and then she's got a special page, click thru to see all the deliciousness! I'm just sending my info in, and so....

I will be giving away several prizes, including one of my new plushies, the Ghost Owl!
There will be some other prizes, and I'll add pictures to this post as I finish them. To enter my giveaway, just leave me a comment right here on this post. Comments close at midnight EST on February 17th, at which time I'll draw the lucky winners! I'll send internationally, as well, so don't be afraid to enter!

There are SOooooo many spectacular blogs out there, and each year I discover and bookmark more and more thru this event!

The only real requirement is that you leave me a comment here on my blog! Make sure I have a way to contact you if you win! That means, sign in thru your own blogsite, so I'll be able to visit you, and get in touch with you later.

1. This event is open to anyone, anywhere in the world. You do NOT have to be a participant in this event to be eligible.

2. To be eligible for any of the above gifts/"door prizes," you must leave a comment on this post only. Although I love comments, they only count when left on this post

3. I will notify you by leaving a message on your most current post on your blog. Alternately, if you have a blogger profile, I will notify you in an e-mail, providing it is listed on your profile page. If your profile page doesn't contain your e-mail address, or if you are not an active blogger, please include your e-mail address in your comment.

5. If I send you an e-mail, I will include the words "OWOH Winner" in the subject line.

6. Since we must mail these gifts within three days after the event, once I have notified you, you will have 48 hours to respond with your mailing address. That means I must hear from you no later than February 20.

Let the Blogging Begin!

UPDATE!!
the Winner is Michaele at Twigs and Tulle blog....congratulations and send me your address!

I do love to sew!

2011-01-19T18:30:00.000-08:00

I love my studio barn, I love turning up my awesome stereo REALLY LOUD and singing along while I sew!

I have been saving a green velvet skirt and a J Jill matching top & skirt in a floral print, and finally put together a new pattern for them! It's a raglan sleeve top, longer in the back.

I tested the pattern first with a burgundy J Jill dress and some nice black pontelle rib knit....it turned out really cute, but it was about a size too large on me, I looked like I was swimming in it. Soooooo.....

I recut the pattern in a smaller size, as well as 1 size larger (for ALL my Red Panty ladies!) and used my special fabrics, and....voila! I love this top! I cut the sleeves alot shorter, because I prefer the 3/4 length, rather than the long sleeves, used the non-stretch velvet for the front & back, and the knit J Jill skirt for the sleeves. The size XS was just enough; I used the back of the top for the knit side panels, since the teeny velvet skirt wasn't quite big enough.

Anyway, I plan on whipping a few of these mid-winter tops up, and getting them to Go Figure Consignment in the Short North very soon!

Giddy up!

2011-01-16T11:23:00.000-08:00

Well, my baby headed back to Wooster for spring semester after a month at home.....can you be both sorry and glad to see them go?? Yeah, I think so!

But, I'm thinking of her as I work on her new Western jacket for this semester's equestrian events.

It's a zip-up jacket with fancy collar and cuffs; it doesn't tuck in, just rides at the hips. Here the sleeves are just basted in for a fitting; the finished sleeves will also have the pink applique on them. Yep, that's a rhinestone zipper down the front; fancy, yes?

Kitty in the sun

2011-01-03T15:10:00.000-08:00

It's just Spook, enjoying a rare moment of sunlight this winter!

It's a Trilobite Christmas!

2010-12-26T19:11:00.000-08:00

or, how to please your geology-archaeology double major daughter!

So, I knitted her a hat with trilobites on it. AND I knitted 3 little trilobite specimens. AND I made some felt beanbag toys with trilobites and brachiopod fossils on them!

I think she liked them!

Christmas trees everywhere!

2010-12-08T04:36:00.000-08:00

Yes, I have begun putting up the multiple trees in the house, and I've gotten the biggest ones up.

There's the pretty pink one in the front room (do you see the kitty sleeping on the couch??) accompanied by the new wreath that dear daughter made me....that's a Godiva box decoration in the middle!

There's the green tree in the center room....we've perched it on the concrete and stone pad where the pellet stove was. We gave that to the guy who put in our air conditioning, but the pad is even heavier and will require a jack hammer to remove. So, for now, it makes a nice tree stand!

I still need to figure out new tree skirts, and all the little trees need to come out of their boxes, but it's a start! I think I like the green tree the best; daughter and I re-did the decorations last year when the house we were living in was on the holiday home tour. I'm sure there are older posts to show that.

Is your tree up yet?

Trunk Show was a Smashing Success!!

2010-11-30T10:06:00.000-08:00

Well, the Trunk Show was standing room only! What a wonderful evening...the models were all fabulous, the crowd was amazing. The only thing I regret is that it went so fast!

We had 30 folding chairs set up (RED of course!) as well as a few extra seats, but the place was jam packed with at least 50 audience members!! Shout out to my friends Tina and her mom Sylvia, Lynn Exline, Julia, Linda from Corner Framing in Delaware (the other location to find Red Panty Clothing) and my mom & dad. My brother Steve was on sound, and wow, there were just so many people there!

I only got a few shots of the backstage area myself; if we do this again, we need a model wrangler!! Also, a longer catwalk; they were out and back to change into their second "look" so fast, there was barely enough time to get them back out on the runway.

There is a little video on Go Figure Consignment's Facebook Page, with the very end where all the models come back out, and then yours truly for a little curtain call.

Sherri and I would really like to do this again, maybe as early as next spring, but oh my, we'll need a bigger venue! It was a wonderful experience, though!

I'll have to upload photos later...!

Cowgirl Up!.....er, I mean down!

2010-11-16T04:08:00.000-08:00

In the midst of the rush to finish sewing for the show, in the midst of installing 4 FOUR new exhibits in THREE locations at the museum, Anastasia had an equestrian event Sunday at Oberlin!

2 hours to drive up there, hurry up and wrestle her chaps on, which went surprisingly smooth....then, being a nice horse mom, helped a competitor zip hers up, and helped the other 2 girls on the team with theirs. Almost thought they weren't going to go! Told both Beth & Colby, no salt this week! I won't be able to go to the next show, it's the same day as the Go Green with Red Panties Trunk show, so they're out of luck!

Ana looked GREAT on her first ride; they had been pulling horses all morning for just being crazy wild....Ana's original draw was pulled, and the horse they substituted was a bit prancy. Seems a LOT of the horses just were spooked by the crowd; they wouldn't come all the way down the ring, they would spook at the rail, what a mess. Anyway, Ana was doing a great job with her ride; got that horse to come nearly all the way down, riding tall, then on the reverse, was trotting, just got the call to drop to a walk and BAM! Horse just sat his butt down sideways, and DROPPED her!! She held on to the reins for a good bit, and her hat stayed on!! (I was good, didn't run right out into the ring to save my baby!)

Judge came over to see if she needed a hand up; she looked rather stunned! EMT's came in to see if she needed checked out, but she just pulled her chaps up and waited for the ride to be over. Judge gave her a THIRD place ribbon....imagine she might have gotten 1st if she'd stayed on!

Then, we found out, she'll have to be disqualified since she became separated from her horse...so I took a quick photo of her and the ribbon....which she ended up getting to keep after all, just no points for the ride. Ana said, if they took her ribbon, it would be like winning Miss America, then getting stripped of the crown for naughty pictures in her past!

This was all by 10:00am; after that, we had to wait HOURS in the cold, cold, barn for the second ride; Ana got off the horse at 6:00 PM; worth the wait though, because she placed SECOND!!! Yay!! (different judge, different horse!) No photos though, it was the LAST ride, pratically in the dark since very few lights in the barn, and everybody wanted to get the heck outta dodge!

It was a very strange day; during the second rounds, a horse actually kicked the rail AND 2 other horses; needless to say, they pulled that one too! The horse that dumped Ana didn't get away with it, though; the owner took him into the second ring and rode him quite a bit, til he settled down, because he couldn't think it was acceptable to throw a rider.

Ana was all set and prepared, in case the horse would rear, or would drop his head to buck her off, but the sideways move was a new one, just way too Ninja for her, and wasn't able to counter that! But she was applauded when she got up out of the dirt and walked out of the ring, and a couple of the other coaches told her, way to cowgirl up!

Model Fittings for Fashion Show

2010-11-15T05:38:00.000-08:00

....were a success, I think! Ladies with arms full of clothes, running amok in Sherri's shop, and I am so thrilled with how great they looked!

At one point, there were probably 6 models trying things on....I tried to keep track and take photos of each assigned "look", but I missed at least 1, maybe more. Sherri had one of her jewelry designers there, as well, and she accessorized each outfit for a complete package....the ladies looked amazing!

Here's a sneak peek at the funway...I mean RUNway!

New look at some New Looks!

2010-11-07T08:32:00.000-08:00

I found TWO of these tencel J Jill skirts at the thrift, in 2 different sizes. They drape really well and feel very soft. I also found this shapeless chocolate brown velour dress; apparently the clothing manufacturers think we real-sized women want to look like a big brown cow!

With a little more thrifting, and some great printed knit fabric, these reclaimed clothes have turned into........THIS!!

I think these are much more fun! The chocolate brown velour skirt can be skooched up to ride around the hips like a mini-skirt, with the top draping over a bit. I think this will look great with leggings and boots!

The J Jill skirt met another fun skirt from the thrift, and now I think it's a champagne party top! Great for that New Year's toast at midnight!

Quick time out for a Quick How-To

2010-10-24T18:07:00.000-07:00

In the midst of getting ready for the Go Green with Red Panties! Truck show (I love saying that!) I am also going thru my supplies of tags and such, and have reached a decision: I will try to use recycled tags at least 90% of the time, instead of constantly purchasing little plastic boxes of blank, pre-strung ones.

The reason is mostly selfish, I admit: It's not that they're expensive, it's that I'm constantly misplacing them and having to buy another package. When I don't need them, I find 3 boxes in my studio. When I'm in a rush and looking for them, they are nowhere to be found.

Lately I've been buying attractive little tissue boxes for my desk at work; I love the patterns, they're cheerful. So, I'm using these empty boxes to create new price tags for all my work, whether it be clothing, tote bags, Ghost Kitties, or holiday gift tags.

Just cut them out, punch a hole, string a ribbon and voila! Scraps get recycled, I get practically free tags!

Shameless Self-Promotion!

2010-10-19T11:36:00.000-07:00

Yep, it's the first ever Red Panty Designs Runway Show!!! Yippee!!

Sherri at Go Figure is sponsoring the Go Green with Red Panties Trunk Show, to be held at the greenovate(tm) studio at 15 E. Second Avenue in Columbus. November 20th, doors open at 7:00pm. Refreshments, music, fun, Admission is Free!

My biggest Fall line ever, featuring Knits, LOTS and LOTS of recycled/upcycled materials, ruffles, embellishments, little jackets, fun separates, cute dresses and tunics that look great with boots or leggings, all for the REAL sized woman!

There will be plenty to choose from, and who doesn't need one nice piece to wear to the family Thanksgiving, the office party, all those Holiday events coming up?

I'd love to see you there!

New Fall Fashions

2010-10-12T17:46:00.000-07:00

After a day at work, which included driving up to Mansfield to pick up artwork, I came home and managed to finish some new fall fashions!

2 new tops, (the color is most accurate in the close-ups)

and a new dress. I recycled some garage sale jewelry to give it some bling!

Sewing in the Art Barn

2010-10-10T13:12:00.000-07:00

Today I invited Sherri from Go Figure Consignment to play in the Art Barn. Sherri has wanted to learn to sew for awhile now, so she brought her toys and we played!

Here is Sherri, sewing on my Bernina........

and here is her finished project! Is it not divine? I think it's very important to be able to finish something in the first lesson that you are happy with, and Sherri looks very happy!

You may recall that Sherri sells my Red Panty clothing at her shop; well strap yourselves in, because we're doing a Fashion Show! That's right, Go Figure is sponsoring a Fashion Show blow-out on November 20th! Admission will be free, and you'll find great music and refreshments plus Fabulous new Fashions from Red Panty, Sherri, and other local designers!

Get that great outfit for all your family holiday dinners, office parties and the upcoming holiday season!

Sewing Workspace - My little heaven!

2010-09-29T08:17:00.000-07:00

I can't recall if I've shared a pic of my actual workspace in the big ArtBarn, but here it is! I do rather love it! I wish the rest of the barn was organized as well, but baby steps, you know!

Had the hubby turn on the heat yesterday, we'll leave it at around 55 degrees, so nothing freezes, and when I'm working in there I can turn it up a bit. I do tend to get rather warm when I work; do you supposed it's because my brain is working so hard? I'm not sure, but it sounds good!

I have a nice little rug under my worktable, because I don't know why but I must operate my machines bare-footed. I cannot stand to wear anything, not even slippers or flip-flops!

All my supplies surround me, and with my office wheelie chair, I can just swing around and reach anything I need....heaven!

New Red Panty clothes!

2010-09-28T07:55:00.000-07:00

Now that the quilt exhibit is over (well, I still have to take them down, patch the nail holes, put up the next show!) I'm concentrating on the Red Panty clothing. Guess what?? In November, Sherri from Go Figure Consignment is sponsoring a Fashion Show and guess who will be the featured designer?? Okay, yes, it's me!

Thus the need to really produce ALOT of pieces, and to get busy and bring some new designs to life....I've got visions of little jackets and coats in my head, but they need to come out!

There will be a shopping boutique set-up, so after the runway show, you can purchase the designs!

I've finished a few pieces Sunday and Monday!

Stage Fright

2010-09-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

I'm getting a wee bit nervous...I'm giving a little "Gallery Talk" for the closing of my art quilt exhibit here on campus.

I like to think that my quilts each express themselves pretty well, and don't really need further explanation. I did add a few statements on the wall, giving more information on a few of the series that I did.

Many of the quilts in this particular exhibit are rather dark, expressing some intimate feelings that I won't often admit to. So, how do I discuss things I don't want to discuss?

I'm thinking I'll talk a bit about process, more about actual technique and form. I think the technique of using fabric is something different enough, I'll be able to draw attention away from my thought process and keep things focusing on the "how", rather than the "why"!

I mean, does the viewer really need to know that part of my thoughts about the Valentine series comes from the fact that I like to read paranormal, vampire romance novels? I don't think so!

Blue Bottles and Poison Ivy

2010-09-14T08:05:00.000-07:00

I think that Autumn is starting to creep in....I do like the smell of burning leaves, although any more, most cities don't allow it.

I've lit my chiminea a couple of times and have been burning the dead sticks that constantly fall out of the giant maple trees; what is it about them, everywhere we've lived, they shed like cats!

I'm working on my blue bottle garden, though...I need to find some bolt cutters to use on my rebar, but dowels work fairly well for the shorter limbs. Sad, though, the tall ones bent right over from the rain. Yep, that's poison ivy peeking through the pine needles and snaking up the tree trunk. I'll have to deal with it soon, before it gets out of hand.

I've been collecting sculpture to fill in around it...Killer Bunnies that I bought from a graduating senior a few years back, and a turtle and cobra my brother Michael made me from parts when his engine exploded.

My father-in-law's dog is enjoying the backyard more, now that it is a bit cooler. Floyd, too, likes to sit outside and enjoy the antics of the squirrels and stray cats.

Lots of exciting things coming up for me, with my clothing line....Stay Tuned!

BATS!!! in my belfry

2010-08-22T10:22:00.000-07:00

Apparently things aren't crazy enough at our house, but that we must now entertain bats!

Last Thursday or Friday, the 2 cats woke Ron from his sleep on the couch in the middle of the night, running to and fro, knocking things over. When he got up to yell at them, he was startled by the thwop-thwop-thwop of little bat wings, flying from the kitchen to the front of the house and back again. He opened the front door and THOUGHT it flew out into the night, and that was the end of it.

THIS MORNING, however, as he was leaving the house, he noticed a little bat hanging in the dining room window, between the storm window and the screen. The only way it could have squeezed in there is from INSIDE the house! So maybe the bat didn't really fly out the other night. (I tell myself this, because I don't want to imagine TWO bats have been inside my house!!

So here is the little bat as it trembled, squeaking, while the cats circled it from inside, and here is my Great White Hunter after his successful expedition to trap flying rodents!

Interview on the Internet

2010-08-14T21:44:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been 3 months since our move to the new house! So many changes, good, bad, ugly, but we're still rolling with the punches!

Bottom line: I've still got boxes to unpack, walls to paint, and more stuff than ever has been moved to the barn "temporarily" and is in my way, but I'm sewing alot lately.

In June, Pam Spence interviewed me for an online Columbus magazine, The Artist's Interview. She had seen my Red Panty Clothing and was intrigued enough to want to learn more, and I was happy to oblige! Check out the link above; there are even a couple pics of me.

Here at the homestead, we are settling in. I've got pots of herbs on the back porch, perennials in the front, and I'm making basil flavored olive oil!

My father in law has now been with us for a full month, and thanks to my cooking, he's gained back some weight. I think he's tolerating us well; I know his dog, Lilybell, is enjoying the freedom of going out, coming in, going out, coming in ad nausea.

Here Ron is giving her a MUCH needed bath!

Art Barn - the disaster site

2010-06-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

Well the move is complete....we are totally moved in to the new house, nothing remains at the old place (except some lovely herbs and some brick pavers). The new place gets homier every day...at the end of each day, we proudly point out to each other the boxes we've emptied, the pictures we've hung, the new plants we've nestled into their beds. Soon, very soon, it will be our HOME!

The Art Barn, well, that's another matter! As the final days approached and we were desperate to be finished, boxes and bags and items which we just couldn't make a decision on (keep, toss, donate, sell?) were all tossed into the barn. MY barn! and so Ana & I made the brave first step last week, to try to clean-sweep and make some headway.

Here is the Barn immediately after the move....Ana is standing near the side door, in the only free space available. Mountains of rubbermaid tubs, plastic bags, furniture that had to be emptied pre-move, and the boxes of contents that came from within. Plus knocked-down shelving units, the barbecue grill, a completely over-the-top wheelchair ramp that came from the University....we need to put a small ramp off the back porch for Ron's dad Floyd, who uses a walker, and the university was going to trash a ramp, so the B&G guys dropped it off.....14 feet long, 48" wide, built to carry a rhino! Serious overkill for our needs! so THAT'S got to go!

Ana & I managed to carve out a tiny workspace for each of us, and I've put together 3 shelving units....a bit rickity, we'll have to move them around again before we're finished, but it gets some of the clutter out of the way. We've moved bookcases around and filled them back up, creating a nice pile of empty totebags, "borrowed" post office carriers and some empty boxes....I can see a teeny bit of headway!

Yesterday I actually got the Bernina plugged in and turned on....yay! At this point I can at least do some work while we chip away at the big pile of belongings. I dropped off another 2 bags to Goodwill this morning on my way to work, and we'll continue to rid ourselves of this baggage, I'm sure. It can't possibly be healthy to cling to so many objects. But I do look forward to the day when my friends and I can gather in the barn, to create and collaborate!

Another Solo show of Art Quilts!

2010-05-16T09:56:00.000-07:00

this time on campus here at Ohio Wesleyan, at Mowry Alumni Center! The Director asked if I'd be interested, and although I hesitated, I said yes, and now it's up for the summer!

Mowry is just around the corner from the museum, which also has a great exhibit of art quilts til July. I love the wall color and the setting, the quilts look really great. They are hung in the Lobby, then up the Grand Staircase on the second floor, and there's one tucked in over the fireplace in the Monnett Room, and 2 in the conference room.

We'll probably wait until September for a formal reception, but you are all welcome to see them early! Mowry is open daily during the week from about 9 til 4pm.

New House means lots of work!

2010-05-04T10:43:00.000-07:00

In amongst the creative endeavors, I must make time to move! I do not like the physical moving, very difficult, but it must be done. This week I have dropped off 1 car load of things each day. Saturday, the parents came over and took 3 loads in the pickup, which sounds like a lot, but isn't a drip in the bucket.

I've got 2 more gallons of paint ready to use; Iced Lemonade (yellow for the kitchen) and Jericho (green for the dining room). The tan/gray color in the middle is Ashen, and I've already painted the living room that color.

I've decided not to paint the den; since it won't be my sewing room, it will take on a slightly more masculine air. I've got 3 white bookshelves in place to accept carloads of books. In our current home, we have a WALL of bookshelves, built-in on either side of the fireplace....I'm really going to miss them!

However, in consolation, I now have command of the Barn! YES!! The ART BARN! It is about 28 feet by 16 feet, I believe, and very tall. Heated and airconditioned, super great! Most of what we moved on Saturday was bins and more bins of yarn and fabric.

The walls are corrugated stuff, maybe fiberglass, I'm not sure. I'll need to figure out a way to surround myself with beauty, or it's going to look very garage-y! Someone asked me today if I'm planning a vacation this summer, and while I'm not going anywhere, I'll be busy!

New dresses from Old Skirts - Baby Doll Restyle

2010-05-01T13:22:00.000-07:00

After finishing up all the new quilts for my next show, I have been busy sewing up new dresses for the Red Panty Clothing line. Go Figure Consignment is 1 year old today, and having a big celebration for the Gallery Hop in the Short North tonight. Sherrie requested some baby doll style dresses, so I did my best, and this is what I came up with!

They look absolutely adorable on a real person, and make you feel sensational! I made 8, but ended up keeping 1 for myself, I just couldn't help it! (last 1 pictured)Sherrie made over them so much when I dropped them off that when I left, she had the first one pictured here on, and was going to wear it for the party tonight! (Black and white with polka dots)

I am so happy they were a hit, and I guess I'll have to make more, in between moving to our new house!

Finished Work

2010-04-22T13:07:00.000-07:00

I have finished quilting the 5 new pieces for my upcoming show on campus; I wish they were larger, I did a mental count of the number of pieces it will take to fill the space, and I'm a little concerned, but it is what it is!

Since I sold 2 of the "valentines" in February, I made 2 more to bring the set to 3. Here is Burning Love and Stuck on You. More anatomical drawings from the 19th century; Stuck on You actually shows the pins used to hold back the sac around the heart....kinda creepy, right??! I just had to enhance it with some fine T-pins I was storing.

Now I just need to finish painting the living room in the new house...I got it all taped off last night, and painted 1 wall, but I have to rehearse this evening for an upcoming gig, so no painting til tomorrow.

And I need to design/cut out/sew/deliver an entire new line of recycled clothing by next Saturday for the Gallery Hop in Columbus.

And I need to have my head examined!

We have a home!

2010-04-19T17:09:00.000-07:00

Super busy week here, but the bottom line....we have a home! Hubby signed a million papers Wednesday, and we have the keys to our new house!

Friday night we had a romantic dinner for two: lawnchairs in the kitchen, eating Wendy's and sharing a miniature, teeny little bottle of Prosecco in paper cups. We looked in every cupboard and turned on all the lights, checked it all out. Took my parents through everything this week. Hubby mowed the lawn today (which meant buying a new push lawn mower, as the monster cub cadet not only won't fit through the garden gate, it's just way too big!)

Sunday my mom & I drove up to Wooster to visit my daughter, and she gave me this lovely painting:

She said that with the closing, and after seeing my little quilt with the Piran houses on it, she was inspired. I love it; I'm looking for a frame now, because I think it will be the first thing I hang on the walls!

Murder and Mayhem

2010-04-10T14:30:00.000-07:00

It's a beautiful day, sunny, breezy, totally comfortable weather! I've not done much but vegetate!

However I did manage to lay out another piece of work, ready to take to the sewing machine for the other half of the magic. This will be called "A Murder of Crows" and it is a very literal interpretation of a photo my friend Lydia took and generously allowed me to use!

After the quilting is done, it will have more details of tree limbs; many of the crows are resting on bare, spindly branches above the leaf line, and I'll add those with stitching.

New Month, New Work

2010-04-06T05:15:00.000-07:00

It's Spring! I am so glad, you have no idea!

If all goes well, we will close on our house in less than 2 weeks! I drove down the street Saturday, and just smiled!

I'm working again, for an upcoming show here on campus. The Mowry Alumni Center has a gallery space that we use for OWU alumni to show their work, and my boss asked me to share mine! Here are 2 new pieces I just laid out, ready to machine quilt and bind.

The first is from a photograph my friend Lydia took when she made her pilgrimage to Slovenia, it is in the city of Piran. I loved the colors of the homes, and the simplicity of the image.

The second is from my trip to Italy. When we were in Tuscany, it really was as beautiful as all the photos and paintings you see. After an ill-advised bike ride through Florence, my daughter and I spent the rest of the day sitting on the steps of the Uffuzi, watching a Japanese couple get married, seeing the tourists, and I purchased some lovely little watercolors from a street artist. That's a copy of his painting in the middle. It so reminded me of the lovely hotel we stayed in for 2 nights, in the countryside.

featured in a Gallery on Flickr!

2010-03-23T11:09:00.000-07:00

I like to check my Flickr pages occasionally, see who might admire my photos (can't help it, I'm vain!) and I found one of my pieces has been added to someone's gallery! Cool!

Flickr now has a feature where you can create a gallery of photos from different users. There's usually a theme to it, but it's pretty fun! Mine was featured here: handromeda

They used a shot of my spiral staircase quilt! I feel so famous!

A House, a Home!

2010-03-23T10:36:00.000-07:00

We are in contract! We will have a house soon!

Hubby & I have been together 27 years, living together 25, renting all that time. But no more! We are in contract for a sweet house here in town!

It is set up with a space on the first floor so that in the event his dad comes to live with us, the only accommodation we'll need to make it switching out a tub for a shower, and perhaps a little ramp to the back door.

Sweet picket fencing, and can you see, there are TWO garages!! One for 2 cars, and another BIG one, can you say workshop?? That one is heated for comfort in the winter. These face the alley out back.

When hubby & I went on the 3rd look-at, we took daughter along, too. It was nice, because the 4 feet of snow had finally melted and we could actually see what lay beneath. In the back, there is a curious hill of earth, which Ana & I quickly dubbed the ancient burial mound, but which apparently had a water feature at one point, and now is extra dirt to use. Ana & I found an awesome stele of stone at the nursery store, with a cleft in it for water to gurgle down. Perfect, we'll create our own henge!
href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D0Kz25JwJzg/S6j966zRFqI/AAAAAAAAAu0/ipjObqJ0w9A/s1600-h/old+house+union+street+upstairs+landing.jpg">

There is a lovely landing at the top of the stairs; that door leads to a balcony!

I can't wait to make this our own, make it into a home!

Tempus Marches On!

2010-03-17T12:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm not sure where the Tempus/time has gone, but here it is, St. Patrick's Day, the middle of March! We've passed the Ides, and this weekend is the Equinox (yay!)

Time to wrap up Tempus Fugit; I did sell 2 of my little Valentine quilts, one of which I showed here before, but here's the other one:

I really love them, and will be doing a few more!

What's coming up now? Well, the past week and a half I've had Dear Daughter home from college for Spring Break, so we've been playing around with sparkly things. We've been looking at houses....yep, the Wallace family is planning on buying a home, and making the last move of our lives! Ana said to me just last night, that I had moved alot in my life. Yep, I really have....12 times already. Geographically not so far, but moving is stressful no matter the distance. But with this move, it will be our last; no more renting!

Of course, the differences between my hubby and I are coming to the forefront in a big way. What he terms "comfort" and where I can imagine living in my twilight years are not necessarily the same! You can never find your dream house in your price range, in the neighborhood you want, but you can come pretty close! Daughter and I have settled on a choice, but hubby is still searching, not really expecting to find that dream home, but trying to be sure he doesn't miss anything.

But in the midst of this, I am preparing to sing "The Seven Last Words of Christ" in church next week (Wednesday, March 24th at 7pm if you'd like to come!) and I need to get busy making more new work for a solo exhibit here on campus, in the Mowry Alumni Center; that will open in May, and should run for a couple months!

More Quilts

2010-02-18T15:45:00.001-08:00

Here are a few more quilts in the new exhibit!

I screenprinted the black/red moons; this is called Full Moon, New Moon.

I discharged the purple columns; this is called Sunset on the Forum.

The 2 little quilts are:

Left: a staircase in Slovenia (I know, that's not the name, but I can't spell the city!!)

Right: No One Knew (what color was)

One World One Heart Giveaway Winners!!

2010-02-15T10:14:00.000-08:00

Tempus Finally!

2010-02-13T11:05:00.000-08:00

Yea!! Last night we REopened my exhibit at Corner Framing, and this time there were lots of people coming by! Including my 'rents, my baby bro & his sweetie, lots of friends, and random passers-by!

I had 2 glasses of wine, followed by a nice stiff cup of espresso, and went home feeling good!

Here is a little Valentine for all! (currently featured in the exhibit!)

These feature old anatomical drawings of the heart, printed out on fabric, plus lots of stitching!

Tempus Tantrum!

2010-02-06T10:39:00.000-08:00

So, ok, lots of agonizing and working late, and we got snowed out!! Although a handful of brave souls mushed through the blustery drifts, it was pretty much a wash-out!!

SOooooo.....we're going to try again next week! Main Street Delaware rescheduled their First Friday festivities, and Linda at Corner Framing is going to break out more treats, and we'll just try again next Friday, Feb. 15th, 6-9ish. But the gallery will be open next week regular hours, and here's a peek! North Wall, South Wall, the snow that kept everyone away, a few of the quilts, and the brownies that were amazine! (Thanks Nicole!)

Tempus Fuggeddaboudit!

2010-02-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

Well, I definitely jinxed myself by selecting a title for my exhibit so far in advance!

I play with fabrics and layouts and images and threads, and I find myself trying too hard! By that, I mean, I am too self-conscious of myself while I'm creating work, thinking, "oh, how does that work with the theme, what will people say, will they like it". I don't know how anyone else works, but for myself, my best seems to come out precisely when I STOP worrying about these things, and just start enjoying what happens.

I'm sticking with the title, because it's a good one, but I'm trying NOT to think about it while I work. I'm slipping into this pretentious, artsy-fartsy thought pattern, and that is so not me, not ever! I thought up Red Panty Avenger, for pete's sake!!

Anyway, here are a couple of pieces that ARE finished, for your enjoyment!:

Red Panty Avenger!! Issue Two

2010-01-26T11:20:00.001-08:00

and HERE we have the continuing saga of Wimpy Wanda, who has not yet learned the Great Truth of the Power of Red Panties, and the efforts of the

RED PANTY AVENGER

to right the wrongs and empower her!

( you know that if you click the image, you get a larger view, right?)

Notice how Wanda appears slimmer after donning the powerful Red Panties....oh yes, that is one of their charms!

BLOG GIVEAWAY!! One World One Heart Magic Carpet Ride

2010-01-25T13:15:00.000-08:00

Monday, February 15th: And the winners are!

Ghost Kitty: Jules at mooncatfarms
Lil' Devil: Kells
Tan brooch: Jingle
Blue brooch:Tumble Weed Trails
Red Fabric: Lisa Swifka at whimsical Bohemian, who started it all!! Yay!

I had such a fabulous time last year that I wanted to do it again: the One World One Heart Blog Giveaway! It's very fun, and I discovered so many wonderful, creative people!

I have 5 (count 'em, FIVE!) items that I'll be giving away.

One White Ghost Kitty, complete with her little ghost Mouse

One Cheeky LiL' Devil, complete with pitchfork to prod with

One Red Panties Brooch, from recycled clothing, in neutral linen

One Red Panties Brooch, from recycled clothing, in navy and neutral

and a Stack of 7 cotton Fat Quarters in a brick red (RED of course!)

All you have to do is leave a comment on THIS post, and on February 15th, at NOON Eastern Standard Time, I will draw 5 lucky names!

Be sure to check out and click the One World One Heart badge in the upper right hand corner of my blog to discover a whole new world of blogs, thanks to Whimsical Bohemian! Let the commenting begin!

Red Panty Avenger!!

2010-01-21T08:22:00.000-08:00

I know I'm strange.....YOU know I'm strange.

I've written before about Red Panties, how it all started, what it means to me.

So I had these little thoughts running about in my head, and had to let them out. And this is what happened: the FIRST EDITION of RED PANTY AVENGER!! Enjoy, my little minions!

a Sneak Peek

2010-01-20T07:52:00.000-08:00

I've started 3 new pieces this week, and now they are waiting on my kitchen table for their stitches.

I typically work this way, placing the backing, batting then background into a sandwich, already cut approximately the size of the finished piece. Then I'll lay pieces onto this sandwich, until I reach a point where I must stitch things before going further.

This first piece is the largest, about 18" x 28", and is my interpretation of a photograph my friend Lydia took on her visit to Croatia to discover her family roots. It's a "lights at night" photo, but to me it represented a snapshot of a moment, a way to capture such an ephemeral thing as time.

The second piece also came to life from a photo of Lydia's, a great shot of the circular stair in a castle tower...this is a small piece, about 8" x 11", and serves as a study for what I hope will be a better, and larger, work!

The last piece reflects another method I have of working; I stitch together elements to create a background that I plan to do alot of stitching on. This piece is a bit larger than the last, and has a piece of fabric that I myself dyed,(dark circles at the top), a commercial fabric by Nancy Crow (left side) and the big dark fabric is a favorite of mine, I've had it for years, incorporated it into other pieces, and I found it the other day and had to use it! I have a plan for the machine stitching, but I don't want to give it away!

I look at my work and see that I do tend to favor certain fabrics; some have quite an emotional response tied to them. There's a piece of Italian cotton, black with multi-colored elephants on it, and I've had it for at LEAST 20 years. Okay, more like 25. I've used it in several quilts, and I still have one little strip of it, about 2" wide by 12" long. I have that strip carefully wound and placed in a storage drawer in my sewing room. I'll find the perfect use for that last little bit someday.

The dark fabric on the last quilt, with the faint wavy lines, is another fabric that has become a touchstone for me. I used it once, in a tiny little quilt, but that quilt is quite possibly my ultimate favorite. I'll have to share a photo of it soon. Everytime I see it, I feel a little proud of it, like it speaks my voice better than anything I had done before and possibly since. The wavy fabric has become for me an element of truth, and I've not used it again because I have been waiting for another moment of truth!

Time....Tempus Fugit?

2010-01-15T11:13:00.000-08:00

Time…..it passes, it marches on, it waits for no one. It is linear, it is a continuum, it warps, and it exists. Lots of theories. Lots of disagreement.

I revel in what has come before; I try not to worry about what comes next. I forget to live now.

I have reached a nexus, and have tipped the outcome: I will create my own timeline, and I will fix its beginning far in the distant past, and I will set it in motion today. I will release it to continue long after my personal time has run out, and I will delight in the flow.

No more Schroedinger’s cat; all is possible and exists right now. Nothing is impossible, and little is improbable; as I desire it, it will come into being. Time will be my friend from this moment on!

Tempus Fugit....or how to drive yourself nuts!!

2010-01-14T12:08:00.000-08:00

I've decided on a title for my new exhibit. Oh, by the way, I have a new exhibit coming up!! February 5th, First Friday in downtown Delaware, a collection of my art quilts will be opening at Corner Framing Gallery, 27 N. Sandusky Street, come see them from 6-9pm. Actually they'll be up all month.

I HAD to decide on a title because in order to create an event in Facebook, there must be a title. I didn't want to use some generic phrase, like "art show", so I needed a title.

It's really difficult to do; even harder than creating a new piece of art, I think. The title of a show must relate to all the work, sum it up, intrigue the potential viewer, inform them ahead of time, pique their interest, without giving everything away. It has to make sense, so upon viewing the work, there is an "aha" moment where the relationship between the title of the show and the content of the work becomes clear.

I find this very difficult; each of my individual pieces is unique, although there are themes. However, the different themes are not necessarily related to one another, and are sometimes REALLY disparate. It is actually a blessing that the gallery has two opposing walls, because I can use the distance to separate the themes. They don't have to be so far removed from each other, but it helps me wrap my mind around the different thoughts that went behind the work. For instance, the Red Panty series is humorous, light-hearted yet affirming, and relates most specifically to women. The Shroud series is more serious, reflecting thoughts on humanity, mortality, race, gender and the passage of time. Two very different thought patterns that aren't obviously related, at least not in my own head!

But as I looked deeper, I could see this idea of TIME weaving through everything: in the Red Panty series, the idea of women THEN and women NOW; the idea of generations, and the hope for the next one. In the Shroud series, I juxtapose the photos from ancient Pompeii with the photos from St. Peter's in Rome, as well as the "x-ray" which is a 19th century invention. That sense of the time continuum started to become clearer, and as I reach my 50th birthday this year, a feeling of urgency creeps into my thoughts. What have I accomplished, what can I complete, how long do I have left?

Tempus Fugit
The complete quote is from Virgil, and means roughly, "But meanwhile it flees: time flees irretrievably, while we wander around, prisoners of our love of detail." Fascinating: am I wasting my precious time on ridiculous things? Or am I making a difference, impacting the world, leaving my mark? I struggle to answer those questions, and as I do, I'm creating new work that I hope you'll enjoy!

the Last of 2009!

2010-01-02T08:45:00.000-08:00

Ack! a New Year! well, I need to finish off 2009 before I look ahead....

I knitted 2 owls for my daughter for Christmas, from a very cute pattern. The Brown Owl was 2 strands held together, one a heathery wool, and the other an orange-ish alpaca, and the white owl was Cascade 220, with white angora in the head, wings and tail (because there wasn't enough for the whole body) When I felted them in the washer, the brown owl got covered with the little white flecks, and the ladies I knit with thought that was part of his charm, like he'd been hiding in a barn somewhere, so I left them! His eyes are felt and buttons, and the white owl has plastic toy eyes. I love their feet; the little talons! The pattern was very easy!

then I decided to try a new owl mitten pattern, so I came up with this one. When I started knitting, though, I had to subtract some stitches since the variegated background is worsted weight rather than the DK I normally use. Almost done!

Tammis Keefe, textile designer

2009-12-17T08:45:00.001-08:00

I've recently discovered a wonderful textile designer, Tammis Keefe, who was very prolific, from the 1940's til her early death in 1960. Super cool, fun period designs....oh no, another thing to collect!

This calendar towel is the same year I was born, so I had to have it! I'm having it framed in the wonderful muted green, to hang in my kitchen!Yay!

Hot Iron....Cool Art!

2009-12-08T12:55:00.000-08:00

In October, I was able to help out again with the OWU Iron Pour; even after I graduated, I tried to assist as often as I could. I am normally the timekeeper; ever since Jon Quick built a new cupola, the iron charges are a bit heavier than I can handle!

Anyway, the weather was perfect this year, and I was able to get 4 molds of my own poured.....I used foam vaporization in green sand. Here are views of the cupola and my molds, smoldering! As soon as I get them cleaned up, I'll be posting pics of the finished products.

I like helping out, it's an exciting process, visceral and elemental. I keep track of the time and charges: when we load a bag of coke (coal) and when we throw in 40lbs of scrap iron, when we tap out, when we've loaded enough TO tap out! I give the heads-up to the ladle team, because if you don't tap out in time, the iron will flow regardless!!

You can see the bright orange flow of the molten metal as it is tapped from the cupola into the ladel....very exciting!

Equestrian Success!!

2009-12-08T12:49:00.000-08:00

I know it's been ages, but let's get updated!!

Dear Daughter Ana has been on the College of Wooster Equestrian Team since her freshman year, and this fall participated in her first 2 events!

The first was held at Oberlin College. Ana rode twice in the Beginner category, and got a Fourth Place ribbon on her second ride! Yea!!

The second was held near Akron, the University of which hosted, and Ana got Sixth Place on her first ride, THIRD place on the second!! Woo-hoo!!

Big Gay Art Show at Junctionview!

2009-09-30T02:15:00.000-07:00

Two of my pieces, Shroud I and Shroud II, will be included in the Big Gay Art Show at the Junctionview Studios this Saturday, October 3rd!

The show benefits Kaleidescope Youth Center, which provides a safe environment for LGBT people age 20 and under.

I'm very excited to be included, so if you're in the Grandview area, stop by!

Knitting at the Beehive

2009-09-11T09:05:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I've not updated since August 4th, but there it is....life, getting in the way again! Not really, but I'm sure I'm not the only one to be amazed at how fast the days go by.

Each month, I host a Knitting circle at the Beehive Bookstore here in town; we meet on the 2nd Thursday from 10am - noon, and again on the 3rd Thursday from 6pm - 8pm. That way, I know I'm going to knit at least twice a month, and with the different times, hopefully everyone has a chance to get out!

The Beehive is a great independent bookstore, and I love the atmosphere there. Yesterday, Trista(left) and Lynn(right), as well as Donna (my mom!) and myself all sat and worked on our projects, sipped coffee or tea and cracked each other up.

Feel free to join us!

Lots of knitting and sewing!

2009-08-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy, productive time here lately....I've knitted and re-knitted several sweaters, a pair of socks and a shrug. I've sewn 7 (that's right, SEVEN) tops this past weekend for me and my daughter! I've had my dear friend Phyllis visiting from New York and shopped like a crazy woman!

I finished this lovely sweater from some MCY yarn, and still have 2 skeins left, so I'm trying to decide what else to make. It only took 1.5 skeins for this sweater, the Organic Tee pattern I bought on Etsy. I also frogged the first sweater I made in this pattern and re-knit it 2 sizes smaller.

I tried out this cute pattern, but after the first test, decided the pattern makers were insane to ask you to HAND sew all these pleats around the front neckline, in a knit fabric, no less. Maybe the gold paint on the fabric made it so difficult, but I just don't see the point in handsewing them on a knit. So I re-cut it to take elastic, and made 6 more over the weekend. Here's a few of them!

I also had some cotton voile I bought in Brooklyn, I added side seam slits at the hemline to make up for the fact that it doesn't stretch like knit. I made my daughter the white T with owls, plus a Pink shirt with smaller, more numerous owls. For myself, I had some lovely knit in white with Lavendar TOILE (I love toile!), and I made another T in black ponte with teeny skulls and tiny pink cupcakes all over. Lots of fun! I think I'd like to try elongating it into a cute little dress, too!

Art quilts at the Art Loft

2009-07-20T09:15:00.000-07:00

For the month of July, the Art Loft in Delaware is featuring Fiber work, including 6 of my quilts! There are 3 from my Italian series, including Shroud I & II, and 3 from my watercolor series, including Contemplate!

The Art Loft is an awesome space, run by Sue Ann Goings and Phyllis Catania. They've done an amazing job with a great space. Every month is a different exhibit, plus they teach lots of classes! You want to go! Hit the link and see what they're up to!

World Wide Knit in Public Day! or, Guerilla Knitting in Delaware, Ohio

2009-06-26T05:42:00.000-07:00

I've been neglecting my blog, but it's not because I'm lazy!

June 13th was World Wide Knit in Public Day, and the Beehive Bookstore in Delaware, Ohio hosted our get together.

The day started off at 11:30am with me knitting by my lonesome, but I was soon joined by Vicki, then around 1:30 the rest of the crew started coming in! It was a lovely day, not too hot, nice breeze, and we sat at the cafe tables outside. Vicki and I took the opportunity to place some "tags" around town, too!

May Wrap Up

2009-05-25T07:02:00.000-07:00

Well it's nearly the end of the month....where did it go?

Lot's of things have been happening....dear Daughter is home from college, having successfully finished her freshman year, YAY!

I'm basically done for the summer at the museum....now I need to find a part-time job!

Sherri at Go Figure Consignment has already sold 2 of my tops, and I'll be taking her some summery fashions this week!

I'm currently featured in an Etsy Treasury West (I didn't realize there were more than 1 Treasury site!) You can view it HERE the lovely curator has included my Boston Fern top!

I'm premiering with a new musical group Wednesday evening at Espresso Yourself Music Cafe in Powell....it's called popCasey, and features the music of the late, great Brian Casey. We'll be playing at Comfeest in June, so this is our very first gig!

Go Figure Consignment Grand Opening!

2009-05-03T15:26:00.000-07:00

My friend Julia and I went to the Grand Opening party at Go Figure last night, during the Gallery Hop in Columbus. (for those of you not familiar, the Short North area of Columbus [read trendy] has a gallery hop on the first Saturday of each month)

The weather was perfect, cool and dry, not a cloud in the sky! There were musicians playing on the sidewalks and parking lots every 50 ft, everyone was in a great mood.

Julia (that's her on the far right, the pretty blonde in the Black shirt) and I ate at Surly Girl first, then wandered down to Go Figure Consignment shop to join the crowd there. I was excited to see my clothing featured, and the lovely Sherri (that's Sherri in the middle of the last photo, in the pretty Pink shirt) was working the crowd, plying us with wine. Her husband and friends were so nice, it was such a pleasure to meet everyone!

I liked how Sherri hung the Red Panty clothing way up high; they looked so pretty up there I had to take a photo!

Don't forget, the new collection will premier May 16th in Delaware!

Spring Collection of Red Panty Clothing!!

2009-04-25T12:58:00.000-07:00

It's that time again! The Spring clothing from the Red Panty line will be out!

There is a NEW shop carrying the R.P. label; Go Figure Consignment in the Short North area of Columbus! The shop is open now, but the lovely Sherri, who owns it, will have her Grand Opening this Saturday, May 2nd during the Gallery Hop. I'll be there for a bit, too, and hope to see if anyone likes the line!

Closer to home, the wonderful Linda at Corner Framing Gallery here in Delaware will host the newest pieces for the Delaware Arts Festival on May 16th and 17th.

In June, Go Figure will get the latest Summer pieces, so it makes sense to check back in!

Here's a sneak peek at another new top I have just finished!

The cute floral skirt had the wide green trim at the hemline, so I cut bias from a lime green linen shirt that I used for the back, and trimmed out the neckline and armholes. And a scrap from the skirt adds a pocket in the back! Voila!

I do love simple patchwork!

2009-04-23T07:38:00.000-07:00

I've been cutting 4" squares from the bitty pieces of scraps left when I cut out my recycled clothing, and sewing them together to make more tote bags(see previous posts)

I've got these 3 pieces ready; I want to get a few more sewn up so I can do a whole batch at one time, but I think you can probably pick out some fabrics and match them up to photos of the new Red Panty clothing from the last few posts!

Yay! my First Red Panty Etsy sale!

2009-04-12T05:47:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited....I woke this morning to find that the Appletini Top had sold on Etsy! Very thrilling, although now I will bite my nails until the lovely person who purchased it has received it, and told me if she's happy with it. What a great Easter gift! This weekend has been very positive! My baby brother Michael came to my gig with Lucey's Maze last night and brought his girlfriend and work friends, and guess what?? The work friends thought I was the youngest! What a hoot - I'm 9 years older than Michael! It tickles me, and of course is a huge ego boost!

New Red Panty business cards!

2009-04-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

Aren't they cute?? I love them...and I have Postcards to match! Now I can keep everyone posted as to where, when, etc!

Red Panty Designs - new Spring clothing!

2009-04-03T09:20:00.000-07:00

[click on the pictures to see them bigger and close-up!]

I promised to show you some of the new pieces I'm working on for the Spring collection of Red Panty Designs, so I snapped a few quick pictures of the first finished tops.

I found a great embroidered tablecloth at the thrift store, and was able to cut 2 tops from it. The straight pins mark a few little yellow spots, as so many vintage fabrics have. I plan on appliqueing over them with extra scraps of embroidery from the tablecloth, so it will be all good!

I also found several rayon batik sarongs, and I always feel a little silly trying to pull that look off, but I think they work great as tops! The super assymmetrical one is bright orange and the other is bright pink.

My favorite so far is this last one; it started out as a pair of J Jill linen pants and a nice linen print skirt. The skirt had a great bias ruffle at the bottom, and I salvaged some scraps to add the applique on the front. The bias really makes this swing!

BAND SWAG!! or Screen Printing T shirts

2009-03-20T09:46:00.000-07:00

I promised pictures, and I like to keep my promises! Last week while on break from my job at the museum, I spent some time screen printing T shirts for my brother's band, Honk, Wail and Moan. I combed the thrift stores for shirts and tees, washed everything, then Stephen helped me screen and heat-set everything.

I'm also making tote bags from T shirts that already have printing on them; I turned them inside out and printed on the plain insides, but you can still see the original writing on the insides! I'll do a very basic hem on the cut straps, sew across the bottom and make a box pleat, and voila! Recycling!

I got new labels, that say Band Swag, and proclaim them to be hand screen printed on recycled clothing. What can I say, my brother loves being green!

March Madness!

2009-03-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

Whew! It's been a whirlwind this month, with my dear daughter home for 2 weeks on break from college, and the general insanity!

I've been busy creating new pieces for the Red Panty line of clothing....look for pictures in the next few days. I've also been screen printing t shirts and tote bags for my brother's band, Honk Wail and Moan...again, look for pictures in the next few days.

I attended the first 2 of 6 great workshops run by CCAD (columbus college of art and design) for artists...on networking and marketing. As a result, I've ordered fabulous new cards for the clothing line, and am very excited to be working hard on promoting it. I also joined Etsy Team Columbus, a group of people who all sell on Etsy.com, which is the site for hand made items of all sorts. To that end, I've added some new pieces to my own etsy shop,
quilt7metal

I created these back in 2007, when I had a huge burst of creative energy. I produced 12 large quilts, then about another 12 tiny quilts. These are the miniatures, that are matted for framing. I had them in the local gallery here for a bit, and sold a few, but I've been holding on to them lately. I guess they are almost like children, and I'm a bit sad to see them leave the nest at first. I guess now I want them to go out into the world and share themselves with everyone!

Fabric for Knitters

2009-03-02T06:57:00.001-08:00

I got this super cute Michael Miller fabric online.... too cute!! Great fabrics for knitters and sewers...and the skull and scissors fabric totally matches my tattoo!!

The Turquoise fabric is called "quilt pirates"

The Chocolate brown and pink fabric is called "Knitmare on Elm Street"

The Black and Lime Green fabric is called "That's Sew Wrong"

Somebody out there has a wicked sense of humor! I think I'll quilt the fabric and make up some tote bags and zippered accessory pouches!

and a Hat to Match!

2009-02-25T13:29:00.000-08:00

I had originally used the leftover handspun yarn from my Neck Warmer to knit up a bowl that I intended to throw into the washing machine and felt/full. Sort of an Easter basket, I was thinking. BUT....both my husband AND my mom thought it looked like a matching hat for the Neck Warmer. And truthfully, when I plunked it on my head, it didn't look half bad! It was a little big, and the edges were curling up since they were just knit plainly. After thinking about it for a day or two, I ripped it out last night, and re-knit it as a proper hat, with ribbing at the edges and the whole thing is a bit smaller than the bowl!

And now I have a spring color ensemble!

Knitted Neck Warmer

2009-02-22T07:05:00.000-08:00

So I purchased some pretty pink variegated yarn at Tiny Canary, which is a cool indie craft fair held in December here in Columbus, and then I rediscovered some nice green yarn that my mom had handspun for me. I played with some coordinating solids in Galway and Cascade, and tried to figure out what I could make with it all. I only had about 95 yards of the pink handspun.

After a half dozen starts and frogs, I came up with a little knitted neckwarmer! Now that my hair is as short as I like it, my neck gets chilly, even when the temp is up! I also wanted something more pastel for spring, and not too long or bulky.

I opted to use just the handspun, because it's a small piece and I didn't want a lot of ends to weave in. I did have a teeny bit of the pink leftover, so I used that, the green handspun, and some of the light pink chunky Galway to knit a bowl that will be felted/fulled in the washing machine. In these colors, it will look pretty with Easter eggs in it!

After I got this knitted up, I needed a button, so again I went to my stash, and found some cool big buttons in funky patterns and colors. They were 3 to a card, I think my daughter or mom gave them to me for Christmas last year or the year before. Anyway, I just sewed the button on, and pushed it through one of the lacey holes in the scarf. I can't wait to wear it out!

And we Have a Winner!!

2009-02-12T04:55:00.000-08:00

The One World One Heart Giveaway has closed, and the winner of my Hoot the Owl Mittens is Jeri at Lampwork Beads

This has been the most fun I've had without being arrested!! (ok, joking here!) But you get the idea....and the very bestest part has been blog-crawling so many creative places....thankfully the wonderful organizer will keep the list of all the blogs up for awhile, so we can still visit and explore! Yay!

Red Panty Clothing at Monkey's Retreat!

2009-02-07T18:21:00.000-08:00

Tonight was the first Saturday of the month, which means Gallery Hop in the Short North area of Columbus....and a party at Monkey's Retreat, which is now featuring Red Panty clothing!! Yay!
Michelle of Starfish Clothing (see the cool screen printed tees?)invited me to share some of her space in the back of the store, so now there are Red Panty clothes in the Short North!

Here I am on the left, in the Green Tea Sweater, Robbie of Monkey's Retreat is in the center, and Michelle of Starfish Clothing is on the right, see her cute little skirt with the tree on it??

Michelle's 15 year old son Cole and his group, Crabfeather, provided the awesome jazz music....Cole plays the bass. They were VERY good!

Michelle and I did the front window display on Monday earlier this week, that's my pink sweater over Michelle's cute shirt and skirt, and that's a Red Panty pin on a Starfish hat!

That's my thrift store Red Panty sign; it was originally just black and white, but my daughter did a paint wash to turn the panties red....I think it was karma, the sign looks so much like my labels!

I am just really excited to have a new venue; I hope we do well!

Design sketches for Recycled Clothing

2009-01-30T10:53:00.000-08:00

In December I wrote of my experience with the application process for the Ohio Arts Council, and how although my application was not successful, I did get a lot of wonderful feedback and suggestions that have encouraged me and refueled my spirit.

At the actual panel review, I took copious notes and actually sketched a few ideas. I thought I'd share them here, see what you think!

I concentrate on linen fabrics, and when I deconstruct all the thrift shop finds, I've been saving all the labels and buttons in ziplock bags. I wasn't sure why, but I think I'd like to incorporate them into some new pieces.

I also save all the details like cuffs and pockets, again, I'm not sure why, but maybe I was just waiting for the AHA! moment to kick in!

I absolutely cannot wait to start sewing up a new Spring Collection; I'm going to get started!