Another Sunflower

This is my favorite so far, it still needs more stitching.

Nature Photos

I love sunrises and sunsets, especially behind bare trees. There was an incredible sunset January 2nd.

My parents set a bird feeder on their front porch and I took these photos yesterday. I was inside and took them thru the window screen.

Happy New Year

I am going to shine in 2009! That is my motto for the year. I spent alot of time last year chasing after things that left me frustrated. So it is a new year and I have a plan.

Over Christmas break I did work on a rusted sunflower for my mom. Since I was away from my sewing machine, I hand stitched it and then couched some rusty cotton yarn on top of the lines. Mom doesn't like the beads and extras (that I love!) but since it is for her I stopped at that.

My beautiful, rusty pans and grates and other fabulous things were stolen from my back deck. I did rust alot of fabric last summer, but I am just sick about the loss, I loved my rusty pieces.

Tree skirt and wreath and Star topper

Picture of the finished tree topper!

Dana just sent pics of the wreath she made in the ocean theme (see post below)

as well as the purchased tree skirt she embellished.

Georgeous aren't they!

Beautiful Ornaments

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=24981
These ornaments have focals from my fabulous friend Lisa Peters

Dana is the wire wrap maniac!

I finally have pictures of a wonderful project I have been working on with my dear friend Dana Graham. Dana makes amazing lampwork beads and jewelry http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5100254 and decided to have an ocean themed Christmas tree this year.

So we have been getting together and making ornaments - seashell ornaments, wire wrapped sea glass and bead ornaments, beaded starfish, painted sand dollars and many, many more. Dana is a whiz at wire wrapping and I was drawn to creating little mosaics with groupings of beads on a shell base. Each piece is a miniature work of art, jewelry for the tree. And I am now a huge fan of swarovski crystals, I never saw the allure before, but seeing the sparkle they add to these pieces made me a convert.

Dana took these faulous photos. We made more and have had a wonderful time with all our creations. She embellished a beautiful wreath and other decorations and hopefully will have more pictures soon, including photos of the finished tree.

Rusty Mandala

I am so happy with this piece! I started with a piece of silky fabric I rusted with an organic disc design. I quilted it, added rusted cheesecloth, fabric strips, mesh and a ring covered in rusty yarn. Some beads and a gorgeous raku center bead from my fabulous friend Lisa Peters http://lisa-petersart.blogspot.com/

I stitched it onto a 14 inch brass hoop and added a hanger to the back.

Open House getting closer

Just one more week until the Open House