Happy Halloween

Just a couple O' fun Jacks wishing you Happy Hauntings!

Natures glorious autumn beauty

a chill is in the air now time to harvest for winters long days

wind blown leaves tumble at streets edges

blood red on lush green grass

shades of orange lay as if a carpet below my feet

wind sends leaves in a golden dance of glittering sunlight

illuminated as if on fire

butterscotch rustling above my head

a secret blush from an elegant old tree

all under the ever watchful eye of the forest creatures.

contemplation

I am having such second thoughts about entering my what is still a work in progress, into any shows. Most of it has to do with the cost involved. Some part of me just detests the whole concept of sending in money to be considered for a show. I know I know, there are many reasons for the cost. I also know that most all media have the same requirements for juried and non juried shows. In the current economic state I just don't have the extra cash for something that might never even be considered. So of course there is the damn rejection thing all ready to bite me before I even get going. So much for brave! I had to ask myself just what it is I want to accomplish with my art. Do I want to have it shown? Do I want to sell it ? Yes to the first and with reservations a yes to the second as well. Of course this will never happen if it sits comfortably in my house. Now comes the hard part. Am I confident enough in my work to attempt the juried show. I am not sure. Really. And I Hate rejection. Any way all this is to be worked out bit by bit. After all I am still hard at work on the piece. So I have some time. I really really want to show you all what it is ! However, the rules seem to say no publishing of any kind including blogs. At least that is what it seems to be saying and since I don't know yet if I will submit it then I will just play it safe by not showing it on line.

Still a blog post without photos is not for me! So here is one of the things I am working on right now. This one I can show you. Just a start of a Christmas gift. A tote bag when it is finished. At present it is 12 inches square. This is as far as I have gotten in three weeks...HOPEFULLY I will actually get it finished by THIS Christmas!

Gift for a baby girl

Everything came to a stop so that I could finish this before my friend Anna has her baby! I found some colorful pink fabrics in my stash. Perfect! The little one is a girl and due any moment now. I cut up the little ovals and stitched and stuffed and embellished and Ta Da!

It is finished. The squishy grabby baby proof ( washable and all cotton )ball!

detail of stitching.

On a totally different note I want to let anyone reading this know about Paula's auction of one of her wonderful art clocks! She creates these from found objects and they are absolutely stunning! Go right now to her blog and take a look and the Bid while it is still going on!http://selftaughtartist.blogspot.com/

my first journal quilt

This is my fall journal sized (approx. 8.5 x 11 inches ) piece. It is a bit of an experimentation with fabric inks and free motion machine stitching .
A doodled leaf with the machine stitching and then added texture and colors to represent the filtered colors and light in the forest beyond with scattered seed stitches.

I have long wanted to do journal quilts that speak to me of what I am feeling. So here is the first one. It could even be the last one. I am still pushing myself to try new things. It has no title other then journal quilt. It speaks about seasons and changes. The migrations that lead me to where I am today and the grace and beauty that comes with growing into acceptance of getting older. Autumn always seems to bring on thoughts of dying to some people. I see this as a time of regeneration. Shake off the old to give way to bring about the new. Take a break to let it all settle and start fresh after the winter of resting and regrouping.

This little bird wants to grow and though right now she is blending into her surroundings, like the fall leaf she will color her world anew as time goes on.