Happy New Year Again!

Chinese New Year starts Feb 10th. When I'm not painting I'm sewing or have some kind of needle in my hand. I have so much fabric it's shameful. I decided I better start doing something with it or else... This is the project I just finished and can't wait to start the next one! Some of my next projects may include painted fabric or some of my art printed on fabric.

"Happy New Year"

A beautiful butterfly soars & red Chinese lanterns flutter in the wind over a quaint Chinese village celebrating the New Year.

I was inspired by a piece of designer fabric by Kaufmann, a Chinese Toile.  It started a daydream. The print looks like a rural chinese festival & tea party.

I started with a vintage GUESS George Marciano denim jacket I was lucky to find at the local 2nd hand store.

 

I cut red circles out of fabric then bleached a portion of them for the bottom of the lanterns. Free motion embroidery was used to attach the strings & to complete the lanterns. I added sequins & rhinestones. A pretty blue denim butterfly was on a piece of fabric my sister had sent me that matched perfect! I added it for a little perspective. We are soaring over the festival! I attached  the entire piece as close to the seam as possible with a black machine blanket stitch. The lanterns swing from strings of vintage black velvet that has a glitter print that just twinkles in the light, sequins & diamond like rhinestones top the lanterns.  I used different colored sequins for the strings of the lanterns.  I had put a butterfly at the top of the jacket too but I ended up removing it.  Maybe I will make me one too, I would wear it to San Francisco when we go have Dim Sum!

I hope this inspires you to dive right in & cut something up!

Happy Chinese New Year!

 

A Crewel Fasination...

...a few months ago, before things went sideways around here, I became fasinated with crewel work.  Years ago I spent many hours after work doing hand embroidery & I'd love to do some now, but I just tried my hand at free motion machine embroidery and now I'm hooked! I have to start my Christmas list. I started this painting in January and hope to get it finished this week. Here are all my  Crewel Cravings:

Work In Progress

"Crewel Intentions"

18 x 24

I am not quite happy with her expression on the left side yet and have lots of work to do on the crewel pattern & wings as well.  She is going to be hard to part with.

Oh I wish you could see these Bohemian beauties in person. The photos don't do them justice. I just listed them in my Etsy Shop as well as some other hand painted shoes!



Machine Embroidery on Jeans

As you can see I need some practice, but I have to say I did better than I thought I would! There is something very soothing sewing back & forth in little tiny motions. I can't wait to do more.

Like my original design? Just right click on the design and print.   You are welcome to use it for personal projects, but please do not use this crewel pattern on any projects that are to be sold.