Twelve Yards of Muslin: Project 1

Here is my first finished project out of my "twelve yards of muslin."
I decided to make a fabric art piece. I used the plain white muslin and fabric paints and pens to create the background.




My hairdryer is my favorite tool when I use paint. I always want to get my projects done quickly and this saves drying time between the painted layers.

The white muslin is a perfect blank canvas so that it can become anything.

I made a pattern for the design I wanted to applique into the piece.

Next I pulled out embroidery thread...

...and lots of colored glass beads...

I used beads to add some detail...

...and make the piece come to life.

I used embroidery thread to hand quilt the background...

...and the finished piece is called

"Talkin' To The Moon".

This is not the first time I've created this piece. I designed it for the first time about 18 years ago. It was so popular that I sold it immediately at a craft show I was selling at.

I love my first finished project out of the twelve yards and I've already started the next one. Can't wait to share it here with you.

A Finished Project

In the midst of all of the craziness, I managed to finish another doll. She was inspired by the singer Beyonce. She turned out so pretty but decided to call her "Sasha Fierce" who Beyonce says is her alter-ego. The singer says that she is basically a shy person and sometimes has to reach inside of herself to be the beautiful star that she is. She calls her alter-ego "Sasha Fierce" who is the talented, strong, out-going woman who lives inside of Beyonce.

A Finished Project: Weeds Need Love Too

Still without a computer. I took it to a place called Tech 2 U, they have a pretty big ad campaign on both television and radio. I thought that they would be reputable because they have such a public presence in the media. It's been 2 weeks and they promised it to me in three days. They said that they had to order a new power cord because they couldn't turn my computer on even though I've been using the same power cable that it came with for years. I only found this out on the 5th day after I called them because they never called me. I let them know that it was bad business not to call customers to let them know what was going on.

The last update I got from them was yesterday. Now they are saying because of the bad weather back east, the delivery of the power cord has been delayed. With all of the computer and electronic stores here in Sacramento they or I could have bought a replacement cord and walked it into the shop. I'm trying to be patient but I'm really annoyed with their service or lack there of.


Anyway, trying to make lemonade out of lemons, I've been using my computer 'down time' to be more creative. My last group of paintings were kind of 'other worldly', 'outer limits' inspired. This group is very 'earthly'. I think we all look at weeds in our lawns and gardens and just want to get rid of them. Lately, I started paying closer attention to the details of some of the weeds I see on my walks and the ones growing by the freeways when I'm driving.

Weeds are kind of interesting to look at when you focus in on them. They are kind of like people. Some of us are cultivated flowers and some of us are weeds but all of us have our own unique beauty.

When you have time, take a closer look at some weeds, you might be surprised.

Weeds need love too.

Finished Project

I'm still enjoying painting my "other world" paintings. I've painted lots of different subjects in my lifetime but this is becoming a fun creative project. They start out so simple and then take on this out of this world feel to them.




It's a little fantasy and a little science fiction. I've been doing a lot of thumbnail drawings using basic shapes while waiting in waiting rooms at the DMV, auto repair shops, the doctor's office and other places that eat up your time and your day. Then I come home and turn the thumbnails into paintings.

A Finished Project

The beginning of a beautiful quilt. My favorite colors, lots of satiny red ribbon and an exotic cotton print.

I am still nursing a sick computer. Hopefully, this month I will resolve my computer problems one way or another. Anyway, I have used my time wisely and have been able to finish a lot of my art and craft projects and have explored some new ones. I've also had the time to get out and followed my second love, taking photographs. I will try to get some posting done over the next few weeks by begging, borrowing and camping onto whatever computer I can get to.

Above is one of my ribbon quilts that I had time to finish. I have been in a decidedly "red mood" this month as you will see in some of the other finished projects I will be posting.

Finished Project: My First Male Doll

Well, he's finally finished, my first male doll. It was a little harder than I thought'

There are different details you have to pay attention to in order to give a doll a 'masculine' look. He did tell me his name is not Keannu but Jeff. He looks a little like my son's best friend's little brother.

The challenge for me was designing clothes for him that weren't feminine and and giving him hair and facial details that were masculine. Girl dolls are a lot easier.

I will definitely do more male dolls. I have a request from a friend to do a doll of here son.

Finished Project

I've been having computer issues again so I haven't been able update my blog but I'm up again.

This is one of this week's finished projects. I'm still working on products to sell in my booth. this is the fourth purse I've done from the same design. I love the bold print in black and shades of blue, green and turquoise. I accented it with sequins in the same colors.

Finished Project

It's been a really busy week. I finally finished re-designing and changing my booth at The Market Place and I'm very happy with the new look. It now has a boutique look rather than a mini gallery. With this new concept I'm able to feature and sell a wider variety of my crafts as well as my art and of course, my dolls. I'll share pictures with you later this week.





My finished project this week is one of the items that I will be selling. I needed to put together something really quick that went along with my new concept but looked beautiful and would appeal to my customers. I created this really simple design for a summer purse and chose three bold fabrics to create them in and big whimsical buttons to compliment them. I also made some soft exotic printed scarves that go well with the purses.

This one is an earthy batik print in shades of latte and chocolate brown. The scarf is a sheer Asian print in turquoise and taupe.

This print reminds me of a pretty French watercolor painting.

This is my favorite one. It is a bold graphic floral print in red, yellow and black and the scarf is a red and black Indian sari pattern. All of the purses are plushy quilted cotton, lined with a coordinating cotton print, have an inside pocket and are completely washable. They are 'The Perfect Little Summer Bag' to carry your sunglasses, cell phone, keys, a bottle of water and all of your summer essentials. I will also be featuring them on Etsy. I made them and I want this purse myself.