Red Ribbons, Red Ribbons

And the final post card for artsnthemail is Red Ribbons. This set had to reflect "something that begins with R". I like how they turned out and am working on something bigger along this same line.

Easy to do, all it is is a painted piece of Timtex, painted ribbons (which I then sliced thinner) and red thread. I enjoyed sewing the meandering lines. Very therapeutic.

Flow - Laguna

It's been a busy, busy week here in southern Wisconsin, where we are melting with every passing second. And a big YAHOO for THAT!! I sure hope the rumour is true that Spring IS on the way!

A quick post today, as I pause in the middle of housecleaning (absolutely NO yahoo for THAT!). This is a piece I just made and it caused me to make it part of a series, which I'm calling Flow. This particular piece is named Laguna. More later... I GOTTA get my new shower curtain up, complete with leaves of green on the curtain rings.

Mmmmmmmmmmm..... I can almost feel the warm sun on my face...

A is for Abstract

Ok. One more post today. I'm shippin' these outta here this afternoon, so I thought I'd give you a looksee first. In the artsnthemail group, we started the alphabet. You choose your own theme, as long as it starts with the current letter. For A, I chose Abstract, which is my favorite kind of ANTHING really. I had a lot of fun making these and I only hope they're not TOO abstract for the recipients.

I made 7, all different, and 5 of them are headed for Washington, New Joizee, South Caroliiiiiina, England and Turkey. How cool is THAT?! They're made out of grape flannel, handpainted paper, shredded cello, glitter, copper metallic thread, paint and foil. Have a FABulicious day!! Smooches!

Far, Far Away

I am SO very fortunate to have artistic friends all over the world!! Today's piece is from Kathy in England and I absolutely LOVE it!! It is constructed of fabric, thread, (note the cool french knots!), lutradur, neocolours and Xpandaprint. Lutradur is a material that seems to be more common overseas. I have been wanting to get my grubby little hands on some, but have not been too jazzed about paying for it, coupled with hefty postage costs. Kathy sent me some to play with and, I suppose if I become hooked on the dang stuff, I'll break down and buy some already!

I hope you enjoy this piece as much as I do!! A million thanks, Kathy - your creative abilities are incredible and I will forever treasure your art!! Watch your mail for a little package, Kathy!! Many hugs... debmarie :o)

The Cutting Edge

Happy Hump Day!! Today's post might be a bit long-pictured. I have been working on several pieces and yesterday I spent a bit of time on them. I had a thought as I was finishing up my work in the shop (on the metal lathe) and I looked down and saw all these fabulous, curly shavings all over the lathe! I was ECSTATIC and my mind was racing! How pretty they looked all by themselves, just waiting to be swept into the trash.

Instead of trashing 'em, I gathered them all up and ran into the house with my shiny, new treasure. I grabbed one of my background pieces and went to work, adding gesso, glaze, glitters and the aluminum curls. I love how it all looks and, as always, wish I could convince the camera to grab the beauty and depth in this piece. Sigh....

Enjoy my shimmery fun! Thanks for stoppin' in! Hugs all around...debmarie :o)

Hold me back and tie me down!

This satellite internet is the best idea since, well, it's just great. I feel like someone else sitting at someone else's computer! W-O-W!

Since I'm feeling so extra spunky, I figured I'd post a couple more pieces. Ready? In our Fiber Art Traders group, we just finished up an ATC Book trade. Here is the one I made and sent off. The first pic is the cover, which is made from fabric, thread, copper sheeting, sticks, raffia, copper wire, amber seed beads and amber-dyed mother of pearl shells.

Enjoy! Make it a great day! Do something nice for YOU!! ~debmarie

Mail, Beautiful Mail!

I already told you all about the Abstract Post Card Challenge & Swap. Well, I received my first post card it today's mail and it... is... BEAUTIMOUS! The handwork on this beauty is pretty amazing! My hubby was impressed, as well. :o) Everything is stitched by hand and I do mean everything. Each bead has been handsewn and what's even more unbelievable is the fact that they're all there - not a one of them appears to be broken or even loosened. A million thanks to Andrea in Texas - I am in awe and will forever treasure this piece! THANK YOU!!

November 14 update: I received another card and it is from Elizabeth in New Mexico. Just like Andrea's, this one won't disappoint you! Are you starting to see how one can become absolutely flooded with ideas for these?! I kinda feel like a great, big chicken now because both Andrea and Elizabeth mailed their's to me. You know - like a real post card. I had no idea they would hold up so well, so I put mine into envelopes prior to shipping. As you can see, Elizabeth didn't even stitch some of her pieces down. I thought for sure they would get mangled off if I did that. Now I'm gonna throw caution to the wind next time and treat them like the pieces of mail they are!! lol

Thanks to you both for your beautiful trades. I hope this is just the start of post card trading for me and I hope I get to swap with you again! ~deb

Loooves me some Timtex!

Yes, I know. Halloween is over. But I just love the designs of Halloween. Monsters and bats, ghosts and black cats - I love 'em! Here are some works in progress. That's right - more postcard-sized pieces. I told you before I couldn't stop making them! lol.

I use Timtex as the "meat & cheese" part of the sandwich that makes these little creations. For those of you who love Timtex as much as I do, it may interest you to know that the manufacturer has closed the doors without notice. Yikes! The company is looking for a new manufacturer, but as of right now, when the current Timtex stock is gone, well, it's GONE. I stocked up today because I love working with this stuff. I've been using it for many things and really don't think anything else comes close to the thickness. I love it!

Ok. Back to the artsy fartsy stuff. The first one is, of course, my rendition of Frankenstein. Not nearly done, but you can see where I'm going with it.

Next is one of my favorite abstract ones. I love the holographic threads! My favorite is copper, but my machine doesn't like the copper for some reason. It must be different than the gold and silver. Figures. So I went with gold on this piece. And actually, I think it worked out perhaps better than the copper would have.

The third one I copied from another artist. Hope I don't get sued. lol. It's from a picture my 5-year-old brought home from school last week. They made these cute Halloween books that were filled with pumpkins, bats, owls, etc. The second I saw the pumpkins, I had to sit down and make one! I'll load the original, too, as soon as I find it. I can lose something within two minutes of it being in my hands, I swear! It's no doubt on one of my workbenches. I'll find it...

Abstract Fiber Post Card Challenge

This was the beginning of my fiber card obsession I currently find myself smack in the middle of. I joined this swap, as well as the fiber recipe card one below, and I cannot stop making them! They are incredibly fun! They're great for experimenting with a new technique, before you potentially waste too much in supplies by working larger. I'm finding so many ways to use these little puppies that I don't see myself stopping anytime soon.

I entered these 4 in the Abstract Fiber Post Card Challenge on TLTMMA. Wish me luuuuck!

UPDATE, November 14, 2007 - Guess what?! I won 3rd place in the post card challenge! And the prize is to http://www.inkastamps.com/ which is the prize I was hoping to win, if I won anything at all! Snooooopy dance!! Thanks for a wonderful challenge, Elizabeth, and for a generous prize, Inka!!

Have a wonderful day!!

Hugs...deb :o)