HAPPY HOWLOWE'EN !

 Click on this pic....hope it works

Back next week. Have a Howling Weekend!
Eat candy. Dress up. Howl at the moon.
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

Painting Experiment #1 Results

I was experimenting with different techniques and watercolours to see what might happen. I even added a little acrylic paint, too. I used salt, cheesecloth, platic wrap, wax, and layers of paint.
The result was a failure overall,

although there were a few sections I really liked. Like these:

So, what do you do with a painting that doesn't work? I could have turned it over and painted on the reverse side, but, ummm, I already did that.  Perhaps adding gesso and painting over with acrylics in inks or paints? Or giving the painting a 'bath' or 'shower' to remove some paint might work, too.
Using a large quilting ruler, I ripped those sections I liked from the watercolour paper, and played with gold and black pens.

Adding more details with paint, pen or ink, stamping, or personalizing them are options. Here are some of the cards I made:

I attached the painted shapes to off-white card stock. Some are abstract, and some have recognizable elements.

What do you think?  Do you have a favourite?

There are still some interesting areas remaining on the watercolour. Perhaps I'll make a few more cards. Or gift tags,.....or paper collages,.........or?
What would you do?
















Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

Fiery Sunset

Where we live, surrounded by granite hills and towering trees, we seldom see sunsets.
The other night, we had a fine show that lasted for almost ten minutes. I wanted to share these 3 pics with you.

It looked as though the forest was on fire!

such a variety of colours

What a glorious ten minutes!
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

Tat and Fringe

I took this:

                                   tatted with two threads: DMC perle #5 in a light rust, and button and carpet thread in a dark brown








plus this:

                                               















and

mixed in some

and attached it to :

The rusty bits sachets













and voila!

 With crystals and wire dangles, and tatting, This decorated sachet is being tucked away for a future gift.
















This sachet with the tatted flower, edging, and beaded fringe fits perfectly into one of the inside pockets of the bag I made. It'll be a little extra surprise.















I hope you have nice surprises today.
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

Rusty Bits Experiment

I wanted to make some more rusty bits, and thought I would test a couple of different fabrics to see how well they absorbed the rust.

I began with these rust enablers:

And wrapped them up in the following:
laces, tulle, organza, muslin, flannelette, cheesecloth


I placed the wrappings into a rusty can and set it outside for 2 weeks to percolate through rain, wind, and sun. Here are the results.

I discovered that neither the organza nor the tulle absorb the rust very well. The flannelette, which was a piece from an old, old, old diaper, absorbed the most colour. The polished cotton absorbed some rust, but not as much as I had hoped. I was pleased with the laces, muslin, and cheesecloth.

Then, I made:

Two lavender sachets with corduroy fringe. The fronts are layers of cheesecloth and tulle with a bit of lace: the back is polished cotton.
But they look a little plain, don't you think? I do. I see some tatting in the near future. Oh! And maybe some luscious, beaded fringe.









Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

Treasures In The Mail

Look what I found in the mailbox!
Inside a large envelope, I found this:

A cute fabric heart with hand embroidery, a lovely card, and a beautiful fabric bag from Jillayne. Trimmed with lace and adorned with a gorgeous bling button on a fabric rosette, it held the following 5 inch squares from other artists participating in Jillayne's Winter Swap.

Winter Song was created by Teresa. A blue jay gathers red berries from a snow-laden branch. Layers of paper, sheet music, and paint are fused together to make this lovely square. Since I love to watch the birds at the bird feeders each winter, and the jays are frequent visitors, this square is special because the elements here are a part of my winter. I sing in a community choir, so how perfect is it that the music on this square is "There's a Song in the Air"! Thank you so much, Teresa!

Freda used felt, laces, beads, trim and a snow angel in the creation of Silent Night. Isn't it beautiful? So delicate, and feminine it evokes romantic memories of sparkling snow crystals underfoot. I can almost feel the breeze that the folds in the cloak indicate as the angel clasps the basket of snow blossoms. The beauty and colour of the snow shows in the sequins and beads. It's lovely, Freda, and I adore it! Thank you.

Appleshoe
created Chickadee. I've always loved chickadees, and spend hours at the window watching them at the bird feeders. I see this little one perched on a holly bush, surrounded by holly berries dusted with snow. The felt is adorned with hand stitching, and the edges sparkle. I love my Chickadee, Appleshoe!  Thank you.

 Marcia. is the artist who created this beautiful and whimsical painting. I see a snow angel, with sparkling wings, and it reminds me of all the snow people my children and I built on the front lawn many years ago. Our snow creations were not as lovely as Marcia's! Thank you so much for calling forth happy memories! I love this snow angel!

Silvery Nature is created from several glittery and lacy fabrics, tulle, ribbon, fabric pictures, and pearl trim sewn together. It evokes shivery cold with the colour blue, frosty window panes, ice crystals and layers of snow. The sun must be shining to create so much snow glitter. Thank you so much, Dorthe! This square really creates the feeling of winter: cold, ice and snow.

 I have wonderful treasures to always remind me how much I enjoyed participating in my first group swap! Thanks to all the fantastic artists who created my new treasures, and to Jillayne for being a marvelous Swap Host.

I hope you have treasures in your day.
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

Last Canoe Ride

Last weekend,  DH and I went on a canoe ride around the lake. It may be the last time this season since fall is in full swing, and colder temperatures have arrived. It's time to pack away the summer furniture, and the canoe.
Here's what we saw:

The neighbour's canoe was already beached for the winter. Shortly after I took the picture, it was packed away.

Looking onto the lake to capture the last rays of sunshine

 fall colours

The last canoe ride of the season. sigh.

Hope you enjoyed the scenery.

Thanks for visiting.

Hugs from Suz

A New Bag

 I took one of the lace pieces and used it to decorate a bag I made using some brown corduroy, a 'wild' orange/brown print fabric, and those lucite purse handles I'd found at the second-hand shop.
Inside, there is one plain side, and the opposite side is filled with 8 pockets, half the full length, and half shorter to allow for holding a variety of items.

I've used interfacing between the layers of the orange/brown print to add strength and stability both on the bag back, and in between the material layers used to create the pockets. The pockets are edged with corduroy to help prevent the pocket fabric from wearing.

What I like about this bag:
1- it's machine washable, except for the handles
2- the handles are a recycled item and can be removed easily for laundering the bag
3- it's not too large, but can carry a lot of differently sized items
4- the handles can hold a key chain, it can be popped off if undesireable, or flipped into the bag for security while still easily accessible
Here's the outside, front:

You can see there is a key chain attached to the handle. It has brown leather dangles hanging from a dark brown oval disc carved with the form of a frog. The top of the lace is secured beneath the fabric handle cover, carrying the inside fabric to the outside for a little contrast and interest.

The back:

Isn't that fabric wild? I think it would sure wake me up in the morning!

                                    Inside, showing the pockets:

I do have to sew all around the outside of the oval lace doily to secure it to the brown corduroy. Then, this bag will be on its way to someone very special. I sure hope she likes this surprise! And maybe there'll be a few little surprises tucked into those pockets, too!

May you have a nice surprise in your day, too!

Thanks for visiting.

Hugs from Suz

Yarn Tale

Truth be told, I'm not spinning a yarn.
But this post is about yarn. A tote of yarn my generous S-I-L gave me the last time we got together for a visit.
Here's the tote:

And here's the beautiful, soft, delicious yarn:

I've already used some of the white, ribbon yarn on a special project. But I can't share just yet.



I think the stars must be aligned just right for generosity of spirit: I have received so many lovely gifts lately, and met wonderful people, that I am feeling especially blessed.

I hope your day is filled with Blessings.
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

Surprise Package

I found a package in the mailbox Friday, from my friend Shirl.
She sent me this:

Printed in 1944, it cost only 15 cents! Although it contains mostly crochet patterns, there are several tatting patterns I want to try.








And this pretty bag contained:

I opened the wrapped tissue paper and found these

Hankies! Beautiful hankies!

 See all that lovely lace? And embroidery and  cut thread work?

In all, there are 16 hankies! They range from 8" square to 12" square.

It looks as though they have never been used, and are in perfect condition except for two which have some tiny tears in the fabric. They look so delicate, and dainty. Shirl told me they came from her aunt, and now they were for my CQing.

Wow! Shirl, you're the Best! Thanks so much!

I hope you find nice surprises in your mailbox.

Thanks for visiting.

Hugs from Suz