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!! 

My head is still spinning!!

Dreams do come true!!! Woohoo!! 

And sometimes things happen you haven't even dreamed of yet. 

I am amazed at the snow ball effect that is happening to me this year 

and I am working very hard to keep my heart and head from exploding with joy and excitement 

and I must admit just a little tiny bit of fear I just keep pushing aside. 

I just had a photo shoot yesterday for the http://www.944.com/lasvegas !! 

It is a free publication distributed in the city at places like 

the Neiman Marcus Cafe in Fashion Show Mall downtown!! 

Yes, I am still shaking because I can't believe this is happening.
I will be in the March 2011 issue! 

The photographer, Michael and his loft mates were young and hip and their studio was amazing.

They all loved the suitcase full of my goodies I brought for the shoot. 

As soon as I arrived I felt more relaxed and they made the shoot really fun.  

I had to lay down on the floor under a really large sheet of glass 

and my items were laid on top of the glass all around my face.  

A very creative way to photograph me and my art work. 

It was thrilling to finally meet the wonderful "Ida" who said: 

"I am an etsy addict and when I found your Glam Wrist Pin Cushions

 and 

Felted Scarves

I was in love."

She writes the articles and chooses artists and 

then presents them to her editor for the magazine. 

I let her choose one of the Glam Cuffs as a thank you for choosing me.  

My friend Barbara drove and helped fix my hair and arranged the items 

because when you are propped up on your elbows you can't do any of that yourself 

and then...

drum roll...............

I, who was so high on adrenalin and joy was completely oblivious to my friends crafty ways.  

Barbara whisked me off to a surprise celebration hosted by another 

wonderful, kind and awesome friend Teresa, 

who graciously hosted a surprise celebration for me!  

She had decked out the table in white lace, a vase of roses,

crystal champagne glasses complete with champagne and sliced strawberries, 

popcorn and some of the nicest people I have ever met here in Las Vegas. 

They insisted I drag in my suitcase of goodies 

so they could ooh, aah and touch all of them 

and it looks like I have sold my most recent items before I can even list them in my shop. 

What a fun day!! I am still feeling the effects today!  

The future will tell how this will effect my little Etsy Shop business so 

I plan on being very busy creating.  

Still awaiting my bead soup ingredients so I will post about that when they come!! 

Happy Weekend Everyone!!