Ups and Downs

Another in what seems to be my ongoing love affair with hearts and portals. There are so many hills and valleys in our lives. Let's hope this one doesn't become a mess like the last painting did. Seems that hills and valleys occur in creative expression too...so...my advice to all of you is to just keep on keeping on!

Gorgeous Colors

It was sunny and warm on Saturday so I dyed some cloth. I love the vibrancy of the colors in these four pieces. They look great folded and placed on top of one another. I'd like to inspire others to make use of this cloth too.....so....I posted some for sale in my Etsy shop.

Cosmic Static

The photo isn't so great because this finished piece is under glass in a clip frame. It began life as the gelatin printed monotype cloth in the post below. I added free motion quilting, hand stitching, dyed cheesecloth and rusted silk organza then I secured it all to the back board of the clip frame. This is the piece I will bring to the Newburgh/Cornwall Historical Society for their benefit art auction next weekend. I already saw all the lovely landscapes and still life paintings that have been donated. I don't remember seeing anything like this - although there was one very cool assemblage that I fell in love with.

On another note, apparently the Stone House Window collage at the top part of this blog is pictured in the new issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors. I was told there is an article about Virginia Spiegel's benefit auction for the American Cancer Society and this piece is one of the collages featured. To find out more about this benefit please check out the following link: http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/NewFiles/ACSFundraiser.html

J-E-L-L-O

Some more gelatin printed cloth from class last night. Right now I plan on keeping this as a whole cloth piece and to add hand stitching with some beading and other embellishments.
On another note I rusted some silk organza yesterday and like how it turned out (husband did have to call me at work to inquire what was in that old rusted tin sitting out in the sun). Right now I'm not sure how I'm going to use this but the thought of revisiting my fascination with cairn and standing stones has resurfaced. This organza might make some great ethereal appearing stone images....we shall see.....

Lovely Weekend

It was a lazy kind of weekend here in the Aumick home. Didn't really get much accomplished in regards to cleaning, organizing and getting-things-in-order but who cares?! It was a gorgeous day on Saturday and we went tooling around back roads, stopping for a picnic lunch and poking around in shops. Today it's much more overcast and just a quiet, mellow kind of day. I did get these 2 ATC's done - I do love sitting on the back porch, rocking away while hand sewing...doesn't get much better than that! Both of these are currently listed for sale in my Etsy store.

Music

Music has the ability to transport me to other places. I can get lost in it and have often felt that I might be in another times and places while listening to certain artists, melodies or compositions. I'd like to share Eva Cassidy's gorgeous version of 'God Bless the Child'. Eva died at a very young age but her voice can still be treasured. Enjoy and kiss your child! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RZ6thzUWD8

Idealistic Ramblings

I'd like to philosophize a bit this morning (sorry). As some of you know I have a day job. In this day job I wear the mask of a competent employee who cares about the work she is being paid to do. While I am there that is the persona they are renting and expect from me. In my real life, I don't care much about this business - it doesn't contribute much (if anything) to the well being of man and just serves to make $$$. Now this is all fine and dandy and is the way of the world but wouldn't it be great if we could turn things upside down and honor those people and trades that benefit mankind? When was the last time a personal care aide for the elderly was searching for investment opportunities for her 'extra' income?

The piece above was created using more gelatin printed cloth I printed this weekend.

Have a great Wednesday everyone!