Autumn leaves

   I watch the last bits of Autumns beauty succumb to winters advancing chill. Here is where they have landed into place on  Forest Muse..

going buggy

Bug 1 is just about finished. The background is quilted with leaves and flower shapes. It will get just a tad more quilting yet. I am leaving the edges unfinished for now until  I complete the next Bug. I will then decide what finish they will get. Border or facing or ? will be for later.

Bug 2 has been drawn onto a muslin fabric with the ink-tense pencils. See what I mean about being just so blah?  The legs will get embroidered later so I did not draw them in now. All the detail will be done with hand embroidery and possibly some beads.

All those detail decisions will be made as I go. I will start it with a vague idea of what I intend but that will evolve once it gets underway. A very intuitive process for me. This is going to have to sit and stew for a bit so in the meantime I pulled this next one out of the works in progress pile ( a pretty good sized grouping ) I actually forgot about it and when I went looking for batting for Bug 2 came across it. Since I had no batting ( which is why bug is stewing ) I figured it is a good time for more work on this one.

 I also could have done more work on the denim pillow top. However, with fall upon us I just wasn't feeling like embroidering flowers. This one is a good fit for this time of year. It is one of those works that could just go on and on.. Stitching on this is a pleasure for me and may be just totally encrusted with stitches when it is called done. So for the next few weeks this one will be going with me everywhere. Pictures will be posted as it goes. As always thanks for stopping by. Comments and thoughts are always welcom!

Bug 1

 I have shared this drawing through Tammy Vitales' blog and facebook pages. It is a freebie for anyone who wants to use it for coloring in as a part of her Wylde Women posts. It is really just a doodle. Done pretty quickly and with no thoughts of making it into a fabric piece. I didn't even think to name it or sign it! I most likely should have put signature to it but ah well, It's done. I do hope that those who use it post a pic back to me of how they have finished it. But it is not a requirement. The main idea is to just have fun with it.
     The Bug is almost done! Just a bit more quilting of the background and a minor touch up that will fix things that probably only I see. I have had fun with this one and am working on Bug 2's drawing stage now. Thinking that in the end there will be 4. But that is a tentative thought as only this one is near the finish stage and I might lose interest before then!

It is still in the hoop as I finish the background quilting.

You can see the quilting here. I am doing a leaf shape pattern to tie into the garden idea. You can also see  the beads that line the edge of the wings. I added  beads to the head as well. These are glass seed beads and what you can't see in the photo is how they shine! I wanted to add a bit of shine and shimmer like actual beetles sometimes have!

Though this is in no way a depiction of any actual beetle. And that is why it has been so much fun to play with!  Next up is giving this bug a proper title and then a binding of some kind (or maybe just a facing ). The final idea of having four works all the same size but different colors and of course, different bugs!

A celebration full of wishes

 I have been blogging for some years now. And in that time I have come to know some fellow bloggers. Most of whom I have never actually met in the non virtual world. But through their art, their words. And photos. And stories. Debi Is one of those people. Her Emma Tree blog has always inspired me with her beautiful photographs. But don't stop there. The words...so full of emotions, of pictures you can see in your mind. Recently she has been featured in Stampingtons Artful Blogging. Browse through her blog and you will see why. So here I am wishing Debi continued features everywhere!