Southwest Doll

This is a doll I made while working in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Southwest influence showed up in several projects while I was there. Albuquerque reminded me of New Orleans in a couple of ways. Even though the culture is very different, there is so much interesting culture. Also, the people are very friendly and inviting. Even though I missed trees, I learned to appreciate the beauty of desert.

German paper cutting.

I don't even remember how long ago it was that I traced this Schershnitte pattern onto parchment paper. Maybe 10 years or more. This past week I sat down and cut it out. In this photo it is still folded in half. Now I need some black mat board to mount it on. Then I'll get it framed. I don't know where I'll put it, but I'll have the sense of accomplishment from having it finished. I love when I finish something that I started so long ago. I'm glad I still like it.

Fabric stash, soon to be hearts.

I love those hand painted ribbons I see on the internet shops, but they are so expensive. So I tried my hand at dyeing white silk ribbon with Rit dye.The results aren't bad, but not as nice as the ones I drool over. I like them anyway. But what I really like is the cotton flannel that I tore into strips and dyed. They took the dye so well. The colors came out so vibrant.
I'm priming myself for Valentine. I tore pieces of anything that looked like the Holiday of Love. Here's a pile of it bofore I threw it all in a tye bath. Still thinking of exactly what I'm going to do.

Dyed clothespins.

Here are the clothespins that I dyed while I was dyeing everything else. I think I'll glue strips of scrapbook paper along one side, maybe add some magnets for holding notes on the fridge.

Day of dyeing with Rit.

I spent last Sunday afternoon with some Rit dye. Here are the coffee filters that I dyed. They aren't just coffee filters, they are future fru fru flower things. I saw them used in Somerset Life to make big fluffy balls called pomanders. I don't know how they'll come out, but they took the dye so beautifully that it was alot of fun.

Well, this week I've joined a gym and begun exercising with a trainer. Ouch. Muscles that haven't been used in twenty years are beginning to wake up, and so far they aren't happy.
Who cares what they think. My will is to persist.

Refridgerater Quilts

I call these refridgerater quilts because I have included magnets inside of them. They are no bigger than 8 or 10 inches square. The baby is my own baby 20 years ago. I had so much fun making this one. I tea dyed everything to look vintage, and the buttons are vintage.

My husband made me a sewing area in the living room, and I am loving it. I've got lots of drawers to organize, and lots of table top space. I guess I'm all settled in back home.