Magpie Artworks

A Celebration of Quilts XI - Art for Body & Soul

2011-04-18T18:46:00.002-04:00

York Heritage Quilters Guild invites you to their upcoming quilt show in Toronto. The dates are:
Friday November 11, 2011 10am - 6pm

Saturday November 12, 2011 10am - 5pm

Sunday November 13, 2011 10am - 5pm

To learn more about the show or the guild please visit yhqg.org

Woodsland girls

2011-02-23T23:10:00.003-05:00

Well, I guess it was bound to happen; I made one of my earlier drawings into a quilt. It measures about 15 x 24" I used wool batting and stitched black thread onto white linen. This is a practise piece on my new Innova. It handles a little different from my old Gammill, but I'm slowly getting the hang of it!

Up from the Sea

2010-12-22T12:33:00.002-05:00

This is the last ( I think!) in a series of mermaids. Her top is cotton batik, and bottom silk-rayon velvet which has been heavily embellished.....

Steampunk and other treasures....

2010-12-12T12:10:00.002-05:00

Look at all of these little treasures! Rayon ribbon, German scraps, watch findings, bamboo thingmabobs, brass tags, copper tape........ so many goodies. Fabulous service from artchixstudio.com and a surprise gift puts her site over the top!!

It's a hoot on the moon!

2010-12-10T23:01:00.002-05:00

Great to try out someone else's pattern once in a while.......... Here's HOOT from The Cheswick Company. Finally I have a pincushion I can find!!

Just one more............

2010-11-28T22:40:00.001-05:00

And that's it! I'm off to investigate something else!

Doodling

2010-11-28T20:28:00.003-05:00

Yes, I know. It needs lots more work, but it isn't getting any more, because after all, it's just a doodle!!

Nola Hart inspired.....

2010-11-17T11:43:00.002-05:00

Nola Hart was featured in the Nov/Dec 2009 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors. These little girls are inspired by Nola. A real departure for me!

Back in the saddle!

2010-10-28T11:40:00.003-04:00

Okay, I'm back! And my creative energy is on the rise. I'm just finishing off some old UFO's then on with the new! If you recall, I posted some UFO's. I made a change from my original plan on one of them. Can you identify the project and can you guess what change I made? This may appeal to the fat quarter love bacause the first person to email me with that change gets a trio of fat quarters!!

UFO syndrome

2010-07-26T11:39:00.007-04:00

Is it a throw down? Judy at Sew Sisters has made my UFO stack public. Here's what's started and I am now bound to finish! AND, in the spirit of sportsmanship, I am admitting to one more that escaped Judy's watchful eye! Judy, what's in your stack??

New mermaid

2010-07-26T11:29:00.003-04:00

I'm trying hard to get out of my "slacker" mode.....

Mermaid

2010-07-18T22:06:00.002-04:00

Here's a new girl!

A wee tote

2010-04-17T12:25:00.003-04:00

This little tote is only about 6x9" It's great for small portable projects like knitting, sewing and assorted hand work. And not to forget it's perfect for girls of all ages to go shopping!

Tess

2010-03-31T11:34:00.003-04:00

Poor Tess, she just can't seem to get it together. She hung around on the long arm for awhile, then sulked in the closet for the longest time. Maybe if she gets a new bonnet she'll come out for spring?

2010-03-30T09:51:00.005-04:00

This background linen was also created with Procion dyes and Tsukineko inks. I machine embroidered it with extensive machine thread work, needle lace and a few bits of hand embroidery.

Spring Embroideries

2010-03-30T09:37:00.007-04:00

Spring has sprung here! and in the spirit of the season, I've done a couple of little embroideries. I hand dyed linen and enhanced the background with a little Tsukineko ink, then machine embroidered it.

Just swam in from Australia!

2010-03-12T07:44:00.015-05:00

Aren't these little guys just so adorable? They just arrived from the south! South Australia, that is! Judy knew I was working on a mermaid and thoughtfully sent me these little gems to add to my display. You may want to visit Judy's very creative blog http://www.judysfabrications.blogspot.com/

East Toronto Quilters' Guild

2010-03-04T09:30:00.003-05:00

Last week I had the honour of presenting a trunk show to the East Toronto Quilters' Guild. What a great group of guys and gals, not to mention brave for adventuring out on such a snowy, wintry night. Thanks to Flo, Dolores and B.J. who helped me in and then helped me out. You might want to stop by and pay a visit to Dolores at http://www.truebluecanadian.blogspot.com/ and B.J. at http://www.fibreartstudios.com/. And Flo? we'll just have to wait and see!

Strait from the Sea

2010-02-14T22:58:00.003-05:00

Just finished! She's a OOAK cloth doll. Her torso consists of layers of cotton, velvet and lace embellished with beads and hand embroidery.

Embroidered nuno felt

2010-01-29T10:56:00.004-05:00

This little piece started out using Merino wool fibre felted to some silk chiffon/charmeuse. The silk shows up minimally, to say the least! I think I should have left out the charmeuse as the weave is too tight. I dyed it with Kool-Aid, then overdyed with Gaywool dye. I really like Gaywool's product, because it works well on wool, but also on silk and nylon. Great for dyeing nylon lace. I used a combo of commercially dyed silk yarn and my own new hand dyed silk yarn for the embroidery. I like experimenting with the 3-dimensional stitchery.

Nuno Felting, Wet Felting and a Little Needle Felting

2010-01-18T15:53:00.014-05:00

Here's a little felted needle case. The dark brown background was wet felted. A smaller piece of nuno felting was needle felted, stitched, and then attached to the background piece. I added some linen swatches inside to keep pins, needles and what-knots! I'll add some embroidery on these "pages" as the feeling strikes me. I had a little beaded piece that I didn't know what to do with, so added it at the back to house a small pair of scissors.

Nuno Felting

2010-01-18T15:24:00.010-05:00

Love that nuno felting...........

First on the agenda, I made a small piece using natural Merino wool and light-weight silk chiffon. After felting, I dyed the piece with Kool-Aid, but didn't like it so re-dyed it with acid dye. I liked it much better. I used Gaywool's Acid dye. What a great product!

Fibreart Montage

2010-01-18T13:58:00.006-05:00

Judith Baker Montano's new book, "Fibreart Montage" is a visual feast. Here she combines quilting, photography and embroidery with luxurious embellishing. You can get your copy where I got mine, at Sew Sisters Quilt Shop! Thanks, Judy!!

Happy New Year

2010-01-03T15:20:00.001-05:00

I'd like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I hope that 2010 will bring love, laughter, health and prosperity to all.

How to Make a Lucet Cord

2010-01-03T15:09:00.001-05:00

Unwind Yarn House, what a great yarn shop! You can find it in the heart of Newmarket, ON

2009-12-28T13:04:00.003-05:00

I just couldn't resist posting this wonderful picture, created by life-long friend, Karen Jones. Such amazing talent achieving this in water colour. Oh, and BTW, that is not me atop the roof tending to laundry!

Overdyeing linen and silk

2009-12-21T19:03:00.003-05:00

I have a number of pieces of linen and silk that are old and are colours that are no longer interesting to me. They are in desperate need of a face lift! I over-dye them if I know that whatever colour turns out will be better than what I have now. You really need to be prepared to take that risk. I aim to dye to a colour of equal or greater colour value. Changing navy blue into baby pink just isn’t going to happen! I don’t strip my fabric and don’t use bleach. I just add onto whatever the commercial dyer did previously, so you need to keep in mind what colour the base fabric is because it will play a role in the outcome. I usually hope for some kind of earthy colour since browns include all the primaries.

That said, after I launder the fabric I cut off a couple of small bits, say 1x1” squares for test runs. I measure out a few teaspoons of dye stuff, add some water and dunk my little swatch in to get an idea of the colour. This will give you a general impression of what you will get, but Like a great soup, I add a little of this and a little of that until I get a colour that suits my fancy. I try to remember to have realistic expectations and know that I can’t always get a silk purse out of a sow’s ear! Once I am satisfied, I follow my usual method of dyeing which I’ll repeat here…

For each ½ metre or yard, you will need:
Pre-washed fabric
3 teaspoons of Procion MX dyes (less for lighter colour)
2 tablespoons of soda ash (sodium carbonate) Note: this is not baking soda
1 tablespoon of common salt (non-iodized)
Hot water
1.5 litre container (about a 3 pint ice cream or yogurt container)
1.5 litre baggie (optional)
Synthrapol
Rubber gloves

I use Procion MX dyes on silk. I like the results that they yield and I don't have to steam. I like the simplicity of it all!

Pre-wash the fabric to remove any dirt, sizing or oils. Wash in hot water with 1 tsp. of Synthrapol and rinse well.
Generally speaking I use about 3 teaspoons of dye powder to ¾ litre of liquid. You can increase or decrease dye powder according to the colour value that you are looking for.
Measure the dye powder into the container. Add a small amount of hot tap water to dissolve, and then fill to about half full with more hot water. Add soda ash and stir until dissolved. Add salt and make sure it dissolves. Add wet fabric, making sure that it is totally saturated. You can leave in the container, or transfer it to a baggie for it to cure. Check it from time to time to make sure it is still submerged. Remove from the dye solution after a minimum of 3 hours. If it is turquoise or contains turquoise, I recommend leaving it overnight. This used dye stuff cannot be re-used. Rinse in cold water until it runs clear.

Note that I don't always submerge the fabric. See example here. You can get interesting results by laying your wet fabric out on a flat surface overtop a sheet of plastic or oversized bag. Then I pour the dye mixture overtop and let it spread over the fabric. Sometimes I use more than one colour. The intersection and melding of colours can create some exciting results, or not! When all of the fabric is saturated, I place plastic over top, to separate the layers of fabric as I roll them up. Make sure the air can't get at your treasure until it is time to reveal.

Dyeing cotton, linen and silk

2009-11-15T20:55:00.003-05:00

From time to time I am asked about dyeing fabric. For those enquiring minds, here's what I have to say on the subject. There are many excellent books on the market that cover dyeing, over-dyeing and dye-painting. You may want to pick one up for more detailed recipes, colour formulas and a comprehensive look at working with dyes. This is the method that I use and it has been working for me for a number of years whether I am dyeing cotton, silk or linen. Right! This recipe works perfectly well on linen as well as silk, that includes the lightest of handkerchief linens to silk noil and silk's boundless other constructions. In fact, I prefer the Procion MX to the Procion H which many people use on silk, because the MX doesn't require a steam process. A note on silk Dupioni and some other silks, there is a slight change in hand and some of the lustre is lost in the process. You may want to do a small sample test run first, or perhaps not! Have fun!

For each ½ metre or yard, you will need:

Pre-washed fabric cut into 1/2 metre pieces
3 teaspoons of Procion MX dyes (less for lighter colour)
2 tablespoons of soda ash (sodium carbonate) Note: this is not baking soda
1 tablespoon of common salt (non-iodized)
Hot water
1.5 litre container (about a 3 pint ice cream or yogurt container)
1.5 litre baggie (optional)
Synthrapol
Rubber gloves

Pre-wash the fabric to remove any dirt, sizing or oils. Wash in hot water with 1 tsp. of Synthrapol and rinse well.

Generally speaking I use about 3 teaspoons of dye powder to ¾ litre of liquid. You can increase or decrease dye powder according to the colour value that you are looking for.

Measure the dye powder into the container. Add a small amount of hot tap water to dissolve, and then fill to about half full with more hot water. Add soda ash and stir until dissolved. Add salt and make sure it dissolves. Add wet fabric, making sure that it is totally saturated. You can leave in the container, or transfer it to a baggie for it to cure. Check it from time to time to make sure it is still submerged. Remove from the dye solution after a minimum of 3 hours. If it is turquoise or contains turquoise, I recommend leaving it overnight. This used dye stuff cannot be re-used. Rinse in cold water until it runs clear.

Didn’t wear gloves? Try some Reduran hand cleaner!

Stay tuned next time for painting with dyes!

Beading frenzy

2009-10-31T20:43:00.009-04:00

This is a rare glimpse of madam de Plumadour, a wealthy widow conducting interviews of potential suitors. She exchanges niceties with Mr. Jim Dandy before getting on with the task of grilling him. He appears somewhat cocky and is certain not to chicken out as did Mr. Al Fredo who is seen departing, looking dejected and dishevelled. Mr. Al Fredo cannot believe his ill fortune as he leaves the unsuccessful interview only to discover that the gifts she had bestowed upon him were but a simple rouse and were nothing but rocks masquerading as gems. Methinks he knows not his own fortune!!

This piece was beaded onto natural linen and backed with fusible interfacing. The background was coloured at the midpoint of the process using a combination of dyes and paints. It measures about 40 x 55 cm

learning to lino cut

2009-09-21T21:15:00.003-04:00

So here are my first three efforts! A quirky bird, a disconnected elephant and then I went big on flowers! all three are printed on hand dyed cotton fabric. So much fun and all my fingers are still intact! This was a great online course with Dijanne Cevaal! http://www.origidij.blogspot.com/

Silas

2009-07-16T17:31:00.004-04:00

So here's Silas, just arrived from abroad! He's attired in hand dyed cottons, silk velvet and a few jacquards for good measure. He's wearing wonderful paisley boots, that he just had to have! He adores beads, so they abound..................

over-dyeing silk noil

2009-07-03T12:16:00.002-04:00

I am over the moon with this piece and here are 3 views of it. I have a couple of metres of nasty dusty rose silk noil. I knew I'd never use it, so what the heck! The dyes are out and mixed, so I may as well use them. I can't go wrong; the fabric is useless as it is! I love how the nubs of the noil pick up the colour. Now that I see how well it worked, maybe I'll dye up the rest of the yardage!

hand dyed linen

2009-07-03T12:08:00.001-04:00

Here's number 3!

2009-07-03T12:04:00.001-04:00

This is the second piece and just as yummy!

2009-07-03T12:03:00.002-04:00

This piece is using diluted dyes

2009-07-03T11:57:00.006-04:00

This is the first piece of my little experiment.It's a shame that I am such a lousy photographer because the colours are just spectacular!

So, does anyone see a figure in this piece? So far there has been a sighting of a cat. Someone else has seen a fish! Anyone else seeing something?

silk fusion

2009-06-30T22:06:00.002-04:00

Here's a couple of silk fusion flowers. They're mounted on silk velvet and modestly beaded.

more organizing

2009-06-28T13:37:00.005-04:00

I have many bits and bobs of assorted techniques. I've decided to organize and consolidate. Here is a combination of Tyvek, hand embroidery, beading, silk fusion and cord making.

getting organized

2009-06-28T13:27:00.004-04:00

Here is Mother Earth enjoying the fruits of her labours. I had started her sometime ago as a pin doll, but things weren't working out........

This piece includes water soluble work, shisha beading, ribbon work, a bit of netting from some limes and lots of my faves................ beads!
Oh, and nearly forgot I used some of that wonderous magic shrinking fabric seen in the foreground!

Subversive Stitches

2009-05-29T11:15:00.000-04:00

I must be living right! Dawn Goldsmith has invited me to write a guest blog. Her blog is amazing! so much information, great pics and endless inspiration! Please check it out..... http://www.subversivestitch.blogspot.com/

little landscapes

2009-04-26T18:29:00.000-04:00

Both of these were done with transfer paints. I added some thread work and a couple of beads. One by machine, the other by hand.......

They are the first in a series of little landscapes that I'll be teaching at Sew Sisters Quilt Shop in Toronto www.sew-sisters.com

Dapper Dan.....

2009-04-26T18:05:00.000-04:00

Here's the first installment! This guy is beaded onto linen and is about 13" . The beading frenzy continues! while he seeks out some hot chick! That Bead Lady's ears must be burning!! www.thatbeadlady.com

What happened to April showers?

2009-04-07T09:55:00.000-04:00

They're supposed to bring May flowers! But instead we have snow today! What gives? I'm just going to post this new little bouquet for any other sufferers of winter in April

little beaded garden

2009-04-05T10:18:00.001-04:00

This little beaded garden is almost 3"

Three of the flowers have shisha centres.

Gibson's Landing Fibre Art Festival August 19 - 22, 2009

2009-04-02T10:23:00.000-04:00

Here's a tasting of what's in the works for the Gibson's workshop. We'll be using the Agatha pattern - she's on the right! We create her body, and then dress her up and embellish her! She'll come to life and tempt you to listen to her stories and will work at you 'til you give up all your secret musings to her! This workshop happens August 19 and 20, 2009 visit the Gibson's site at http://www.gibsonslandingfibrearts.com/

spring fling

2009-04-02T09:19:00.000-04:00

Our local doll club, Creative Doll Artists is having a pin doll exchange with the California club, Imitation of Life Construction Company (IOLCC). The theme is, "Spring Fling" So here's the one that I made. I got the spring part, but not the fling!!

What's this? What's going on?

2009-03-25T10:30:00.000-04:00

Here's Agatha (right), yet again trying to woo the marquis. She is ever the source of amusement for him. But short lived are her attempts! Le Marquis was commissioned by Judy Baldwin of Sew-Sisters quilt shop. http://www.sew-sisters.com/ She's shouting out a big thank you to Mark Lipinski for his hard work, devotion and contributions to the quilt world. She introduced Le Marquis de Pickle at an afternoon "Tea with Mark Lipinski" at the Northcott office in Woodbridge, ON. (That's near Toronto!!) Le Marquis has moved happily off to New Jersey!

Pin Doll Swap

2009-01-21T13:05:00.001-05:00

Our local doll club had a pin doll exchange with the Cloth-a-Dollics club in Victoria. I scored this little treasure from Donna who is a member and who, coincidentally, was in my workshop at Gibson's Landing Fibre Art Festival the summer of 2008. I am very pleased with this little dancer!

2009-01-20T20:21:00.000-05:00

Here's our most recent doll club challenge. There were no rules other than to make something out of a gourd. Her name is Kalyani. Her face and hands are made from 2-part Apoxie sculpt. Her body is made of assorted fabrics, mostly silks.Her upper torso opens to reveal all her treasures...

beading frenzy

2009-01-20T18:58:00.000-05:00

Worse than peanuts! I started beading with a red, gold/yellow, then added purple and olive green. I beaded directly on to poly batting backed with heavy duty non-fusible, non-woven interfacing. After I finished I thought it to be a bit too big so.......I made another, then another!

Now for some braid for around the neck and my 3 chatelaines are done!

Off to a good start in 2009

2009-01-02T21:20:00.000-05:00

So here's my first project for the New Year! The pattern is from Tricia Cribb's book, "Redwork Quilts"

Gibson's Landing Fibre Art Festival 2008

2009-01-01T01:37:00.000-05:00

Many thanks to Kim, Karen, Pauline, Ethel and Donna who shared their creations with me and the rest of the world! Fantastic creativity. Hard to imagine that everyone began at the same place, with the same pattern. Excellent work!

I hope that some of the more reserved members of the workshop will soon join in! (hint, hint!!)

Gibson's rocks!

2009-01-01T01:12:00.000-05:00

Donna has outdone herself! Look who has just arrived from Les Folies Bergere! Isn't that feathered headpiece devine?

More great gals from Gibson's

2009-01-01T00:52:00.001-05:00

Ethel's been very busy!

Here's Miss Phoebe on the left, and Miss Dottie to her right. I think that Miss Dottie is looking very pleased with her flower garden!

Ethel 's experiencing a creative explosion! and here's Miss Abigail. It appears to me that Miss Abigail is looking for a party! Maybe show off her belly dancing skillls!

Gorgeous gals from the Gibson's Landing Fibre Art Festival

2009-01-01T00:12:00.001-05:00

Pauline has been very busy! Has two great girls to introduce! Are they not exquisite? I bet they love to live it up out on the west coast!!

2008-12-17T19:35:00.001-05:00

So here's Hortense, feeling quite pleased with her new bit of millinery.

little Merriam

2008-10-28T10:22:00.000-04:00

She's had enough of Tess and is off to do the crossword!

tetchy tess

2008-10-28T10:19:00.000-04:00

So who's the boss, anyways? Here's Tess, parked on my long arm, refusing to budge 'til I get her some clothes! Well, maybe she has a point!

Sultry or what?

2008-09-30T22:35:00.001-04:00

I see many fine things in your future!

getting on with it!

2008-09-09T17:40:00.000-04:00

Okay! Tonight for sure I am going to get some long arming done, then I can get going on some creative ideas that are oozing out!

Cher comes alive at Gibson's doll workshop!

2008-09-06T19:06:00.000-04:00

And here's Karen's doll, Cher! She's all dolled up for her concert tonight! Her hair is just right and her outfit is sensational! Let's hear it for Karen!

Oh dear! Am I getting ahead of myself again?

2008-09-06T16:41:00.001-04:00

There's no doubt about it, faces fascinate me! So is it any wonder that I thrive on making heads? I probably have one for almost any occasion! Too bad I can't put them on bodies and finish the job!

Well, it's only right that Olivia not be alone on the shelf!

Quilting Diversion

2008-09-05T21:51:00.000-04:00

So here's a little diversion. Some may call it avoidance. Others may call it procrastination. I simply call it a diversion from doll creating! I love the way those circles dance about! They could make a girl a bit dizzy, if she weren't already!

new beginnings

2008-09-05T13:08:00.000-04:00

Join me on my journey of creating a new character. I had Gallagher in my living room for a brief time and miss having him hang around. He used to cause havoc with some of DD's friends, always entertaining for me!! I think I may call her Olivia! Of course that's subject to change, depending upon her attitude. I expect she'll be about Gallagher's size, say about 45"

Gibson's Landing Fibre Art Festival: look what they created!

2008-09-03T18:42:00.000-04:00

What a great group. The ladies who participated in the doll workshop worked hard and tirelessly. Each and every one created a one of a kind work of art. I am so proud of them.

Kim was the first (and I hope not the last) to submit her new friend. Isn't she gorgeous? It looks like Kim is a seasoned doll maker. Way to go Kim!

Updating

2008-09-03T18:38:00.000-04:00

Well, summer's drawing to an end. Now I really have to pick up the pace! September classes are filling up and I've got Christmas shows around the corner and not enought little people to showcase. So, I'll have to shovel that coal and get some steam in this old engine!

Schedule aug-dec 2008

2008-07-29T14:25:00.000-04:00

Gibson's Landing Fibre Art Festival - Spicing It Up With Ginger :doll workshop Aug 22-23,2008
http://www.gibsonslandingfibrearts.com/

Holiday Treasures - Christmas show and sale. Juried entry
Dufferin County Museum Airport Rd and Hwy 89 November 22 - December 7, 2008
http://www.dufferinmuseum.com/

The Moose Show - Annual show of fine art and craft. Juried entry
CNIB Conference Centre, 1929 Bayview Av, Toronto November 21-23, 2008
http://www.mooseshow.com/

Gibson's Landing Fibre Art Festival B.C.

2008-07-28T17:01:00.000-04:00

If you're in the area, the Gibson's Landing Fibre Arts Festival takes place Aug 20-24. This annual event is in its 9th year and is rich with exhibits, workshops, demos, and markets. Set on British Columbia's beautiful Sunshine Coast, you can enjoy the sea air and mountain landscape all at the same time.