Mother's Day 2012

I had my Mother's day gift yesterday..both sons here at the same time for an hours worth of companionable conversation.  Since I get my props from my family all year long I really don't feel the need for a big fuss one day out of the year.

I've decided on my project for Jude's Contemporary Boro class. Most everyone will be working on some sort of garment but I'm just not feeling wearables right now so I decided to make a replica of my favorite grocery tote. It was plain canvas once upon a time but I dyed it and added the print inner pocket.

 I can put twenty pound of stuff in it easily but it would be better for the bag and my body if I had two bags with ten pounds in each.

[[Slept badly last night due to the Samuel L. Jackson of tree frogs taking up belligerent bellowing in one of my potted tropical plants right outside the door to the deck off the bedroom. Twice I got up and tried to find and relocate him without success. Just now by daylight I found him, hunkered down SLEEPING! Bastard. EVICTED!!]]

I can blame my slow brain today on Mr. Frog and  will take the in's, out's and reverses of this mitered corner technique one slow and sure step at a time so I don't have to rip out any machine stitching. The Janome is set up for sail-making right now..vicious.

 A while ago I purchased a yard of this ridiculously overpriced artist's canvas at Binders with the intention of actually painting on it. The idea of using it to make something serviceable is much more satisfying at the moment. There will be enhancements of course.

beautiful day #4

We don't get too many perfect days like this one here in Georgia.70 degrees, low humidity and just enough breeze to bring the flag to life and cause the trees to dance.  The house is opened at every port and I spent some real time digging in the studio today. Studio spiders are banished.

Everything that was on the design wall came down, two large bags of trash removed, an open (as in "full sight") shelf was established for UFOs and  the big fabric sort is underway. This quirky little drama needed closure fused to the back and I've moved it over to the store.  I honestly never settled on an orientation and kept working at it deliberately from all directions but never locked it in.  It's 10"x14", faced and ready for framing.

stitching meditation

With a few chores and a follow up visit to the doctor out of the way (all is well) I rummaged around in the studio and uncovered this UFO.

I recall that I stopped working on it because I convinced myself that it was just too large for hand stitching and yet I was reluctant to put it under the machine needle.

So,  I made comfy in the downstairs chair and spent time hand stitching on it while  a thunderstorm blew through the afternoon. It felt good.

moon poached cloth

It took a lot longer than usual but sitting and choosing the fabrics and doing the webwork to post these is quiet, easy work. Here's the lot of them. Now, I'm going to refurb my own scrap basket and see if I can remember how to thread a needle.

bounty

That's enough standing at the ironing table for one afternoon. I taken a few choice bits for myself  (above) and now will sit and group the rest of these to go into the store tomorrow.  I had some additional surface treatments steps planned but the cloth is tender and these colors seem to be all that's called for this time around.