coasters/mug mats

We are currently getting ready for a couple of art fairs we've decided to do this fall. The first one is the first week of October- the Fresh Art tour along the Mississippi River on the Wisconsin side. We will be setting up a booth outside of Swan Song Gallery. We have some of our things there now, but will be adding new items for the start of holiday buying. These are all examples of coasters/mug mats I have started making.
They measure 5" across, so plenty big for even the largest mug. It is an economical use of any left over wool pieces and are simply backed with felt. All handwork from beginning to end- just what I like to work on. No machine sewing so it is a completely portable project.
I'm also going to do ornaments, small pouch bags, pincushions, eyeglass cases, and appliqued flour sack towels. Lots to do!

New Look

I'm playing around with a new look for this blog and thought I would post some pictures I took at home and at the arboretum this late spring and summer.
We've had plenty of rain and heat this summer and the plants have really flourished.
Peonies are some of my absolute favorites and they were spectacular.


It is such a treat to see the combinations at the arboretum, very inspiring.
I love the colors of the azaleas even though I'm not fond of the plant in general. Once the blooming is over it is ho-hum if not downright ugly.
But, you can't beat the colors!

Even though it is just the beginning of August I am looking forward to fall and our drives in the bluff country-beautiful foliage colors! Next week I hope to go picking blackberries for more jam making. The freezer is filling up with fruit and veggies for jams and chutneys. I'm hoping to make small gift baskets as gifts for the holidays and would rather do it once the weather cools down. Hope you enjoy the photos!

projects

It seems I have been spending all my time making the same thing over and over again, namely pincushions, to fill orders. It's nice to take a look at other projects, finished or not,from time to time. The above is a centerpiece of hardangar I made a number of years ago. I love the intricacy of this type of embroidery, but I'm not sure my eyesight's up to it anymore! Those are crabapples I picked today. Don't they look like cherries?
Among my current unfinished projects are these eyeglass cases waiting to be sewn up, 12 more to make and then sent to Alaska.
I have also been working on a hooked rug I started a couple of years(!) ago. I'm not sure what color to use for the background, I'm leaning toward a cream color.
The design was inspired by a book I have on Clarice Cliff pottery- the ones with floral designs. For pottery made in the 20's and 30's it is so bright and funky.
Now for some finished projects. I made two batches of jam- strawberry and raspberry/blueberry along with bread and butter pickles. The cucumbers came from the garden, but the berries I had to buy from the farmer's market. Next year some of the raspberries and blueberries will be from the backyard!
I have also kept busy painting the outdoor furniture- all in new colors.
The light green color has become a favorite- in fact I'm going to incorporate it in the kitchen when I do a little ( just painting and rearranging) remodel this fall.
It is amazing to me that all this furniture was stored away- the only thing I bought this year was a new umbrella.
And ,finally, a birdhouse I painted long ago and just recently reclaimed from storage. Well, back to sewing!

Gala in the Garden

Our nearly daily visits to the Arboretum gave us the opportunity to watch them set up for the Gala in the Garden fund raiser. It was an incredibly hot and humid day, in fact the very next day we had terrible storms and 20 tornadoes touching down in the state. This summer has been a study in extremes- cold and wet or hot and humid with wicked storms. It seems so unfair when we only get about 3-4 months of summery weather in any given year. That's about 12 weekends only! The tent set up was immense. I think it could seat 200 easily.
The flowers were gorgeous- mostly peonies and hydrangeas for the swags and arbors.
I loved the hanging balls of peonies. So many varieties! I wish they could have been labeled.

The table arrangements were a little different on each table.


And there were two special guests attending. Since we had such violent weather the very next day I'm sure these didn't last long.
I think the faces might be a bit scary on their own ( or should I say demented?)
All in all it was a beautiful display.

Birds and flowers

This is the batch of pincushions I just finished for the Textile center. To break up the routine a little I decided to do a bit of embroidery on a flour sack towel. I want to have a large variety of items finished to do a show in November at the Midtown Global Market. I'd like to have an entire collection of retro style household items- dishtowels, dishcloths, aprons, etc. in addition to my pincushions, handbags, and pillows.Of course Jim will do his leather purses and bags. It should be fun and is at a great time of the year- the beginning of holiday shopping.It's not that far away!
I tend to use so many images of birds and flowers in my designs I thought I would take a little tour around the house and show some of the inspiration or obsession I have with bird imagery. The following are items I have made:




and things around the house: I love these wooden shorebirds. This is one of many.
A glass plate which is one we sold at the shop.
The bluebird topped sugar bowl is from a pottery works in Missouri and the other pieces are from the Stockholm Pottery shop.
I have owned this chicken pitcher for years.
This little bird was bought just last weekend at the Stockholm Garden center. He will be living outside on the patio.
And last but not least my Mexican painted tin bird I purchased in Maiden Rock a few weeks ago. Just a small example of my love of birds!

Fresh Art Spring Tour

It was the spring art tour in Wisconsin along the Mississippi River a couple of weekends ago. As I've said before the small towns and bluff country here are some of our favorite places to go. Private studios and galleries open their doors to the public and show everything from pottery to glass, paintings, and fiber arts.
Of course, on of the first places we stopped was the Stockholm Garden Center. They sell perennnials,annuals, and shrubs. I found my Coral Charm peony here so grabbed that right away! Also picked up a red variety peony, a scarlet flowering geum, and a clematis. My next purchase will include some of these icelandic poppies for my cutting garden strip. I love the orange!
I also may include some oriental poppies if I think I can keep them under control.
I don't think you can beat orange and purple as a combination.
This is the icelandic poppies with some euphorbia.
The alliums were really banging it out! These look great with anything silvery gray.
I love the idea of these bird forms that were outside one of the shops. Filled with soil and moss
and then planted with sempervivums they will be so pretty when they fill in. I personally think they need a few more plants though.
This shop (Palate) has a wonderful collection of gourmet items and kitchen goods.
And this is the gallery (Abode) and the Stockholm Pie Shop. We plan to work our way through all the pies!
This building use to be an antique store and has just recently opened as a B&B.
This little shop next to the gallery specializes in Wisconsin made cheeses, preserves, wine, and beer. Their spicy tomato currant jam is fantastic!
One town further south, the town of Pepin, is where you find this gallery. Saw some beautiful hooked rugs done by a local author/ fiber artist, Mary Logue.
And now for my one and only purchase of the day- a pottery wren house from Stockholm Pottery. Looks great in one of my gardens and will remind me of such a great day!