Published in SEW SOMERSET Winter 2011!

SEW SOMERSET is a sister publication to SOMERSET STUDIO- one of the premier mixed media/paper art magazines. It features mixed media art that incorporates new techniques with the traditions of hand and machine sewing. Visit www.stampington.com to reserve your copy.

Sampler in Blue and Green originated with the idea of historical samplers as a learning tool and record of stitch experiments. This modern version combines hand sewing techniques with faux postage, fabric swatches and found objects like feathers, tags and buttons. The Needle Felted Leaf takes a simple shape and enhances it with lots of layers, beads and hand stitching. The layers include painted muslin, paper and felted wool.

Published in Art Journaling

Creating this illustrated art journal was so much fun! It gave me a chance to put lots of my favorite things together- ATCs, embroidery and exuberant color. Get your copy of the magazine at your local bookstore or form the publishers at Somerset Studio. http://www.stampington.com/html/art_journaling_s10.html

Pleats

I've been having fun with unbleached muslin for months now- adding gesso for journal pages and dyeing to create custom designs for my work. Recently I went back to a great book- THE ART OF FABRIC MANIPULATION by Colette Wolff. It inspired me to add texture to muslin. These photos show a piece with pleated petals. I finger pleated the muslin, ironed it to fusible backing to hold the pleats then painted it with acrylic paint. I loved the play of light over the surface and the textural interest the pleats created. My trusty sidekick Sammy liked it too!