Spring Fever Cuff Series

The scent of plum trees blooming,
pink petal rain on the bright green grass,
birds singing joyfully as the temperature rises,
warm sunshine on my face.
Spring is here!! 

Yesterday I spent quality time with My Muse. 

She takes me to really special places. 

 I have been sewing, inspired by our local quilt show.

 I am still determined to combine all my passions and make wearable art.  

So here goes.  

My new quilted cuff series in progress. 

There are four more!! 

I started with my husband's old jeans - I save them all in a plastic tub.  

I clipped, tore and frayed one leg into 3" X 8" pieces. 

Thinking I would make a comfortable quilted lining,

I practiced my free-motion skills on batiks and fun colorful fabrics lined with cotton batting.

 I liked the quilted fabric so much the lining became the new front side. 

Quilted Fabric "New" front side painted

After quilting and sewing these together they went downstairs 

to my dining room table for some paint applications.  

Using a brush, a brayer and my favorite Lumiere paints this is what happened.   

Denim back painted with brayer highlights the quilting stitches-
maybe they should be reversable?

Somewhere last week I stumbled upon a tutorial on making fabric flower petals.
I couldn't wait any longer to try that out.  

When suffering from Spring Spring fever 
(not really suffering just enjoying great weather- it was 80 degrees here yesterday!!)
One has oodles of colorful flowers on the brain. 

My husband actually remained calm last night 
while I played with the fire in the house using a tea candle.  
After melting, puckering and hand stitching with a sprinkle of beads 

this is what you get. 

Cheap Walmart red dazzly faux silk

Specialty Organza

I love them!! Aren't they gorgeous? 
Fortunately over the years I have collected tons 
of faux silk and organza fabrics I can make these with.  
I am so glad I did! 

The next step after they are all beaded and flowered up
is to make polymer clay buttons 
and braided elastic cord loops for closures.

The cuffs are almost ready for their journey.

They will first travel to 

The Aveda Institute Art Walk and Fashion Show 
on Sunday, March 27th from 3-5pm (for locals) where I will have a booth.

Then on to my Etsy shop in April if there are any left. 

Don't worry- I don't think I will get tired of making these for a long time.

Each one comes out so totally unique. 


While I have your attention I am also working on two challenges 
from my ArtQuilt Circle using the same technique.
Free motion quilting that is painted.

"Free motion Wood grain"

Here are the parts for the  "Shelter" Challenge. Can you guess what this will be?

additional parts

and
Here is the door for my "Favorite Place" Challenge in progress

Yes I have to hide all those threads between the fabrics, this is two sided; this side is painted with Shiva Oil Sticks using make up applicators and a stencil brush to blend the other side acrylic paints.

Did I make you want to sew, bead, burn fabric (carefully)? ... I hope so! 
I also hope your weekend is fabulous- 
I am off to go outside and enjoy the great spring weather here!! 

It's My Birthday I can SMIILE if I want to and I want to!!

I am basically a teenager inside a slightly pruning body.

I haven't changed much have I?Maybe I need to shave more, what hormones?

I am anxiously awaiting my bead soup ingredients from my partner!! 
Keep waiting for the doorbell to ring and the package of goodies to arrive.
Stay posted for some great soup, Bead Soup that is.  
Here is a little beady goodness.
I made the deadline for the Jan ABS Challenge!

This is the inspiration from the Art Bead Scene Challenge for January.

Click on the link above to see the February Challenge.

Maybe you want to give it a try. 

One of my goals this year is to  do every challenge. 

I used polymer clay for the art beads; hearts, 

free-motion stitched and then painted muslin

and real suede as the lining for the Cuff. 

Silk ribbon suspends the heart bead in the necklace.  

I know these are not the usual Valentine colors but 

that's what I am about- something unique and interesting.

Also with Polymer Clay I created a winged creature for the PCAGOE Challenge.

This doubles as an entry for my Art Quilt Group Challenge-"Shelter" for Feb too!

"My Angel Shrine"

for more about this go to my polymer clay page.

Life is good, 

yes it is 

and I feel happy deep down inside 

where all the negativity in the world outside can't penetrate.  

That is the best birthday gift ever! 

Life is simple when you have that peaceful feeling, 

love and acceptance for yourself and others. 

This could last for days or maybe just a few more moments 

but I am grateful to feel it right now. 

I have had good and bad years, experiences, relationships....

but I have learned from all of it that the good is never really good 

unless you have a little bad thrown in there to remind you how good it is. 

I am learning to focus my mind on the good 
and use that to get through what seems to be bad 

but actually is motivating and pushing me forward to: 

"NO FEAR" my mantra.   

So, I am now eligible for some of the senior discounts out there, 

not sure what they are as I really don't consider myself senior yet. 

When I am dancing my heart out in my Zumba class I feel like I am 20 again without the need for make-up, pimple cream, birth control or a sweaty muscly man.
Here is one of my Zumba teachers in action.I missed class this day so you won't see me. 

Who could ask for more!  
You really should try out a class-
 An hour of Aerobic exercise has never been this fun and gone by so fast!

Of course a few hours later my feet, spine and compressed neck 

let me know if I over did it but I keep dancing.  

I figure as long as I keep moving those years can't catch up to me. 

Move On Everyone with joy- NO FEAR !!