"Tablescapes"

 My absolute favorite piece of art. 

Created by

 Dave, the famous artist 

All the figures in this painting were actual sculptures that we had created over the years. 

The close up is of "Ethel and her kids".

The matradee actually held a long feather and was named, "The tickle monster".

About 15 years ago, I was invited to participate in an design instillation titled,  "Tablescapes" for the Downtown Roseville Merchants Association in Sacramento, California. Each artist was given a room, area or empty window throughout a shopping mall and were asked to create a fantasy environment for a table setting. It was an exciting show for me to participate in because I was in the company of two of my favorite UC Davis design instructors, Dolph Gotelli and Jo Ann Stabb.

This painting reflects what I had set up for that show.

"The Dinner Party" sets the stage for Go Girl Gallery

I am honored, to be honored by this cute little Fancy Nancy

at the Blue Oak School's,

Go Girl Gallery, a celebration of women through art.

Art instructor Leslie Gevurtz has developed a
"women's study through art" curriculum.

Having been influenced by Judy Chicago's "The Dinner Party", an art instillation brought to life by hundreds of volunteers creating china plates and textile runners paying tribute to women in history; 

Leslie brought the idea back to her students. 

 Anika, a very talented young woman who is pursuing her interests

in art and fashion created a table setting honoring me.

Everything was perfect down to the last detail: buttons, pins, thread and needle.

A perfect setting and a true honor.

Thank You, Anike!

DIY: Blossom and Bumblebee pin cushion

Here's what you'll need.
Blossom
cotton fabric
hand full of stuffing
needle
buttonhole thread
silk flower
button
green raffia or tissue
shot glass
Bumblebee
yellow pipe cleaner
black permanent marker
corsage pin
stiff clear plastic

Begin cutting a 6" circle out of 100% cotton.

Using a heavy buttonhole thread, sew a running stitch 1/4" in around the circumference of the circle.

Pull the thread to begin gathering the circle.

Slowly add poly-fill stuffing. Fill it very tightly.

Pull up your gathering thread and tie off.
Do not cut.
Leave the needle and thread attached.

Take apart a few old silk flowers.

Two large petals for the base.

Small petals for the top.

Bring the needle up through the center of the ball.
Attach the small flowers and a decorative button.
Bring the needle back down and pull very tight.
This is why you must use strong thread.

Knot and cut your thread off.

Hot glue the flower top onto the large petals.

Flower is done.

Hot glue 3 large leaves onto the base.

This is a shot glass.
I purchased a set of 6 at the dollar store.

Add green raffia or tissue into the shot glass and hot glue the top edge.

Immediately place the glued glass top onto the flower leaf base.

OK...It's bumblebee time!

Here are your tools.
A black permanent marker will color the pipe cleaner and the head of the corsage pin.

With needle nose pliers, grasp the end of the pipe cleaner.

Wrap the pipe cleaner up four times.

Cut off and tuck end into the large base.
Cut off a 1" piece of your black and bend in half.

Tuck the black into the large open end of the yellow.

Place the corsage pin into the head end of the bee.

Add a drop of hot glue and push into the bee.

Now for the wings.
You're going to cut a shape that looks like a stubby valentine.

I used a plastic that was ready for the trash.
Cut out and use a fine point permanent pen to draw on the veining.

Just a drop of hot glue will attach the wings right at the base where the black meets the yellow.

Bend the pin slightly.

Place him into the flower top so that he can hoover above it.

I did this project with a kids sewing class and they all turned out great.

If you make one let me know.
I'll start a flickr group to showcase our floral bouquet.

DIY: Wire Flower Brooch

What a tangled web we weave...
or I wove...
well crocheted.

Tools needed:
Thin 28 -30 gauge wire, crochet hook (J), really cool vintage beads.

Pre-thread on beads. It was easy to slide one up and crochet in when needed.
Helpful hint:The wire on the spool wants disparately to uncoil.
I allowed about 18" out at a time, keeping the wire clipped into its grove on the top of the spool , allowing out only what I needed.

There is a rhyme and reason to this design believe it or not.

It is the exact same as any basic crocheted flower.

In case you were wondering, messy is just fine.

Wire on a bar pin to the back.
Helpful hint: Place it just above center. If it's centered it will not lie flat when worn.

Wear as a brooch or on a velvet ribbon as a Victorian choker.

Somethings Bugging Me

Wanda's Designs A genius with polymer clay.

Ulla Norup Milbreth: Who I want to be when I grow up.

Wanda's Designs: Go see her teapots too.

Ulla Norup Milbreth: Yep, still want to be creative like her.

Kup Kup Land: A unique sense of creative style.

June Bugs In July: Brings back the Girl Scout badge memories.

Hansigurumi: How does one even begin a project like this?

Liz Vandel: If I could do it all over again, I'd join the circus and wear this.

Chosetec : Big deal. I could do this too.
If I had a three month supply of coffee and a truck load of paper.