Adventures in Design

The Dress Challenge

2012-01-28T12:00:00.000-05:00

In my last post mentioned I needed to name my Fiber art quilt. Well with the help of my friend Joyce, it now has a name. "Fantasy Floral" Yay! So glad to get that out of the way. I'm afraid that my creativity does not lie in writing.

Now, on the next little quilt that I just finished. This one is for another Art Quilt group that I belong too. It will be part of the Northern Star Quilter Guilds' Show in May.This particular challenge is called the dress, Finished size to be 10"x 14". Since, in my previous life I made fashion dolls, I have many books on period clothes. I also have access to old Ladies Home Journal Magazines that belong to the Yorktown Museum. The hardest part of this challenge was to decide which time period to do. I finally settled on the early part of the 20th Century. Everything was done in Photoshop and then printed on fabric. I named it the "Ladies of Fashion" Not exactly the greatest name. But I told you I'm not very good at naming my work.

FANE gallery show for 2012

2012-01-23T13:48:00.002-05:00

Every year the FiberArt NE aka FANE group, of which I belong, has a gallery show at the Mahopac Library. This will be our 4th year. The show will be in May and will coincide with Northern Star's quilt show. Which is always the 1st weekend in May. The gallery show on the other hand will run for a month. I'm not sure of the exact dates. The last couple of years we have had a little book printed with our work. This year It was decided to print a tutorial on the technique's used to create some of the pieces.
It should be very interesting to see. I'm afraid I never got around to make up a technique sheet so my quilt won't have a how to page. That's because until a couple of days ago I had know idea what I was going to do. And so missed the deadline.All the quilts will be 12" x 12" mounted on a 18" x 18" white canvas.

People always ask "How long did it take you"...How do you answer that? Does thinking about it for several months count? Spending hours going through photos for inspiration count? Bye the way this was inspire by a rug at the Winn Hotel in Vegas. Once I've decided on what to do, the actual work zips along at a pretty fast pace. Especially, if I like how its coming out. This time, I decided to incorporate my love beads into the piece. So this little puppy here took about 3-4 days. Now I need a name. God, how I hate trying to think of a name...Ughhhhh!

A New Bracelet

2012-01-06T10:59:00.002-05:00

I had a Party to go to in the City. That's NYC. It was for a friend visiting from Australia. I have a group of girlfriends from all over the world. We have nicked named ourselves the Sisterhood of the Traveling Scarves. And when anyone of us are in a city at the same time we have a get together. This time it was close to home. Theme for the party Black and Silver. So you know I had to make a new Bracelet to wear. I already had the LBD (Little Black Dress).

Katina & Me

Jeannette, Katina, Ellen & Me

Here are all the sisters who where able to come to the Party that Ellen graciously gave. And Let me tell you she certainly knows how to throw a party. Starting on the left Katina, Kelly, Ellen, Pat, Me, Kathy, and Jeannette

OMG I can't believe I ate the whole thing

2012-01-06T10:38:00.001-05:00

asparagus in oil and garlic and rice balls

stuffed peppers

stuffed baby artichokes

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. I certainly did. It's funny, but I can be pretty good about controlling what I eat around the holidays Except when I get to my daughters' house. Way to many Italian goodies. You see what I mean? The main course was homemade pasta with truffle sauce and a fresh ham...I'm afraid to get on the scale...LOL Just kidding ..I didn't eat the whole thing.

Christmas Wishes

2011-12-23T10:09:00.002-05:00

Oh my gosh, where has the time gone. Christmas is almost here.With holiday decorations up before Halloween in all the stores, it seems to take forever to get here. And then, all of a sudden it's in 2 days. Well, at least I got all my shopping done. Just have to do some wrapping. My baking is also done. I don't do as much as I used too. Just my Strufoli aka Honey Balls a Neopoltan treat. These days my daughter does most of the baking. Although tomorrow, I will be making Rice Balls/Arancini. A Sicilian dish that my Grandmother used to make. I only make them once or twice a year for Thanksgiving and or Christmas.This year I'm doing it twice.

So I will like to take this time to wish all my family, friends and followers of my blog a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year/Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo. .
These are my wishes for you all:
For The Sisterhood of the Traveling Scarves: I wish you all safe travels and low airfares.
For my Quilting Friends May your quilts get into all the shows you entered and win you many awards.
For all Health and Prosperity for the New Year.

For the World out there. How about a Little Peace and a year without Terrorism. A Slogan from the 60's
"Make Love not War"...that's it. No more preaching......

My latest jewelry designs

2011-12-16T19:45:00.000-05:00

Just a couple of my new pieces. All are handmade by me. All are for sale. For more information and prices please email me privately.

2011-11-26T11:14:00.000-05:00

Today I'm rearranging and cleaning out my studio and my son's room. Which has become a dumping ground for excess crafting supplies.
These are 3 master molds of my dolls. Dolls that I had sculpted during the early 90's. Now I haven't made a dolls in almost 20 years and I don't have any of my molds left. So I can't make any even if I wanted to. And yet it is so hard for me to put these 3 pieces in the trash. I feel like I'm throwing away my babies...Silly, isn't it. I haven't even looked at them in years. Well, I will bite the bullet and toss it...

2011-10-26T10:36:00.000-04:00

check out my QR code...Cool. now I have to figure out how to post on the side bar so that its permanent.

The Mahopac Public Library gallery show 2011

2011-09-28T10:02:00.001-04:00

The Lover's

2011-09-16T11:58:00.001-04:00

I started this quilt sometime ago. I'm really, really happy that it's finally finished. There was a lot of aggravation and a lot of lessons learned. I took it apart so many times I lost count. And my poor friends who had to listen to me kvetch through the whole process. That is a true sign of friendship...LOL...Thanks guys.....

FIBERART NORTHEAST ANNUAL SHOW

2011-09-05T09:09:00.002-04:00

SAQA's Benefit Auction 2011

2011-08-11T16:08:00.000-04:00

It's coming soon! This exciting reverse auction of over 300 12"x12" artworks, all donated by members, is the major fundraiser for Studio Art Quilt Associates' exhibitions, education, and outreach programs. I have donated "Best Friends Forever" and am in group 2, but there are many wonderful choices. The auction takes place in 3 groups, beginning September 12, 19, and 26. This is a great chance to add a little gem from a wide and diverse group of textile artists. See details here.

2011-07-21T18:02:00.000-04:00

I thought it would be nice to show you all where I got the inspiration for my mosaic quilt. I've decided icon a name. Vanilla Fudge Swirl Mosaic

TaDa part 2 - suggested names for my mosaic quilt

2011-07-20T12:40:00.004-04:00

OK, I'm going to list some of the suggestions that I have received from some my friends. I'm not going to list all because some are just on going to make the cut.

From Joyce Vanilla Tile, Very Vanilla, Beautiful in Beige,Beige Beauty, Venetian Tile Vanilla

Me: Fudge Swirl, Chocolate Chip, and then a combo of me and Jeannette Caramel Swirl

Linda Chocolatte

I had a longer list but I was reminded that the color of the quilt has to be incorporated in to the quilt. So a lot of suggestions had to be cut. I had completely forgotten that rule...

Ta Da.....

2011-07-19T18:46:00.012-04:00

Yayyyyyy! Finished my piece for the Library show. Now I have to name it. This has always been a problem for me. My friend Joyce suggested Vanilla Tile. Which sounds pretty good at first. And then I thought What about Fudge Swirl or maybe Chocolate Chip. If anyone has a suggestion. Bring it on.....

What am I working on

2011-07-18T10:14:00.000-04:00

Fiberart North East is a group I belong to. Every year we have a gallery show at the Mahopac Library. Mahopac NY. Anyway this year it will be in September from the 1st to the 28th. Reception on the 17th from 2-4. Well, back to what I'm working on . It's a Monochromatic Mosaic. I just finish fusing all the tiny pieces of fabric to a white background. And I wanted to share it with you. The design I used is from a photo that I took a few years ago while in a church in Lucca, Italy. I could have just done an applique technique but after seeing a mosaic quilt by a fellow quilt artist from Italy Laura DiCera I just had to try my hand at it. Since the theme of this show is Monochromatic I choose beige and brown family. Now I have to quilt this and so I'm praying that the tiny little tiles of fabric don't pop off....My piece will measure 9" x 20" and it will be mounted on a white canvas measuring 12" x 24" . All the quilts in the show will be the same size either hanging horizontally or vertically... So here is a photo of before I quilt it.

Selling Doll Collection part 2

2011-07-16T16:53:00.000-04:00

Well, I finally got a few dolls posted for sale. The next step is figuring out how to embed paypal so if someone is interested in purchasing any, they have a easy method to do so.....All this takes so much time. I'm off to take some more pictures...I will really try to post new pictures regularly....I know famous last words....

Selling Doll Collection

2011-06-26T14:38:00.000-04:00

In 1970's I started collecting dolls. I started first with International Dolls and then when I started making porcelain dolls. I soon began collecting Original Artist Dolls. Now it is 40 years later and I'm ready to let them go. I haven't made any dolls since 1990. And no longer belong to any doll clubs. I've moved on to other things. Like jewelry and quilting. Now I want to sell the entire collection. I really need the space. So I've decided to set up a little shop here on my blog.

3 Sister's

2011-05-23T11:17:00.000-04:00

Last but not least is the Three Sister's necklace. The 3rd project in the Nancy Cain class. I love this necklace and really enjoyed making it. I think is has a real Renaissance look to it. It is made using Swarovski Crystals, 24k plated seed beads, and ruby colored delica beads. Which gives the chain the look of precious rubies.

Crystal Tile Bracelet

2011-05-19T15:08:00.000-04:00

I finally finished the 2nd project of a 3 day bead class. Well, at least it's my rendition of the 2nd project. In the pattern there were 3 shadow boxes on the bracelet. I felt that 1 was more then enough for me. I have a small wrist and it would have been over the top for me. The center piece is a shadow box that is filled with Swarovski Bicone Crystals.

Solar Star

2011-05-13T16:53:00.000-04:00

Wow, how time flies...I know it's been almost a whole month since my last post. But I really didn't have anything of interest to say. Do you really want to know what I ate for breakfast? I don't think so. This month my Guild had it's annual Quilt show. My Via Appia got an Honorable Mention. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get to the show this year. I had signed up for a 3 day bead class that wound up being the same weekend. And since it was with a renowned bead artist, Nancy Cain, I really didn't want to miss it. It was wonderful and if you get a chance to take a class with her do it...We did 3 projects. The first one was called Solar Star. When I first saw this project I thought, mmm that looks easy. HA! Of the 3 projects this was the hardest. It took me 3 tries before I got the inside points sharp. So that it wrapped around the star neatly. The Swarovski crystal I choose had a larger hold than the other colors and was pretty noticeable. So I decided to add the tiny stars hanging from it. The next project is called Crystal Tile. It is not done yet. I will show that later, in the meantime I guess I will show the 3rd project which is called 3 Sisters...But you have to wait until I photograph it.

new work

2011-04-23T16:44:00.001-04:00

I just finished this a few minutes ago. I used TAP (transfer artist paper) transferred photo to Lutrador. Which is made of spun polyester fiber. Anyway it can give the photo transfer an old look. The photo I used is of a Michelangelo painting of a Sibyl call Delphica. It is in the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

2011-04-13T12:15:00.000-04:00

So, What do you think, PC or MAC?

Now this was an interesting photo of a door in a church taken without flash. I thought it looked like glass

This is the same door taken with flash. I had no idea. What a surprise.

A gift for Yvonne

2011-04-02T18:41:00.001-04:00

Last month I asked people to give there opinion on which design, that I had done in Photoshop, was their favorite. Now I would like to thank everyone for their input. Even the person who said that they were awful....LOL... But that's OK....Anyway the reason I asked that question was because I wanted to know which one my friend Yvonne like best. Like, which photos she preferred. I was being sneaky....hehehe....I made this quilt for her, to thank her for changing her flight to Venice just so she could see my quilt in the Verona show...The 3 coins on the quilt are Australian, USA quarter and Italian Lire. One for each country. Australian for her, US for me and the Lire for Italy. The place that brought us together....On thinking back on it, I really should have found something that represents the Internet and Trip Adviser. Well to late now...

Observations

2011-03-31T10:59:00.000-04:00

We are home now from a wonderful trip to Italy. I can't express how wonderful it felt to have my quilt excepted in this Italian venue. I think my Nonna would be so very happy for me. I didn't win any awards but it really doesn't matter. My quilt hung in a gallery in Verona. And I got to see it, and meet people and make new friends. I'm a winner already.

The other day I was thinking how very polite and civil the Italians are. For example: While being seated in a restaurant the couple next to us (the tables are sometimes very close) acknowledged us. And when they were leaving wish us Buona Sera (Good evening) This happen most of the time. Even on the train going from one city to another. If we were sitting next to someone and they got off before us, they said goodbye. You walk into a store and its Buon Giorno and when you leave its Arrivederci...Please and thank you is always used. I wish I could say the same for us New Yorkers. I'm going to try and keep this in mind when out. I think sometimes we are in such a hurry that we forget to be polite. Arrivederci everyone,

Milan and My last day

2011-03-22T13:57:00.000-04:00

Well my trip to Bella Italia is almost over. Tomorrow we leave for home. Today was such a beautiful day here in Milan. And we were able to go to the Duomo and climb to the top. Yes, that's what I said, climb to the top. We did not take the lift. Come on, next to the bell tower in Florence this was a breeze. Only 250 steps as apposed to 414..... Duomo is truly amazing piece of architecture. I took a lot of photos of the stain glass windows inside. But really, it doesn't do it justice. The photos outside and on the roof were much better. Here are just a few

It was beautiful sitting up on the top. Sun shining and warm. So very relaxing. Lots of young people up there just laying on the roof soaking up the sum....After we left the Duomo we walked over to the Sforza Castle. We just walked around the grounds. We had no desire to check out the inside and walk up more steps...There is a limit...LOL..

We walked through the court yards of the castle. All the way to the back. And found a beautiful park. Spring has started so some of the trees were blooming...I think they maybe cherry trees, but I'm not sure..I did see some magnolia's in bloom though...

Florence

2011-03-21T17:26:00.002-04:00

One of the rooms at the Pitti Palace. Taken before I was told NO photographs. Which was strange because I didn't see any signs about not taking photos...Maybe I wasn't looking in the right places..

We arrived in Florence on Friday and stayed for 3 days. So after we checked into our hotel we took a walk to the Central Market. They were just starting to close so we walked over to the Duomo. Took lots of pictures and then decided to climb the Bell Tower. 414 steps to the top...What possessed me to do that is a mystery....LOL...I guess I wanted to prove to myself that at 66 of age I can't still do it...Well we did. And what amazing view of the city....I really felt I accomplished something...very satisfying.

Saturday we visited the precious stone museum. What a nice museum. Such beautiful works of art. Paintings that where then interpreted in mosaics. All I can say is WOW. I took loads of pictures. I just might interpret one into a quilt. After lunch we went to the Pitti Palace. Sunday we visited the Academia and saw the David. I was standing next to a guild who was lecturing on the David..Very Interesting..No pictures of David though. I found the signs..NO PHOTOS


The bottom is the painting and the top the mosaic rendition

il Latini restaurant

2011-03-21T16:21:00.001-04:00

I can't believe I ate the whole thing....Oh! did I forget to tell you? We're in Florence....We left Venice on Friday. But I'll get back to that Dopo (later)...see enough wine and I can speak Italian...LOL...Anyway back to Il Latini. this restaurant was recommended by a couple we met in Venice. Well let me tell you it is quite an experience. I have never eaten some much in my life. OH WHY DID I DO THAT...First you must make a reservation. We had ours for 7:30. Everyone who has the 7:30 res meets outside the restaurant and waits for them to open. Then there is a crush to get in. You are seated at a group table from 4 to 8 people. First they bring out the prosciutto, then crostini with a little chop liver, after that mozzarella and tomato. Then there is the pasta course. We had bolognese e penne. Than we had Tuscan steak enough to choke a horse with roasted potatoes to die for. My husband makes great roasted to potatoes .But I had to tell him that these were better...and then spinach....Of course there is a nice Chianti, some Vin Sante with biscotti and a desert wine. Oh, I almost forgot, desert. panna cotti...Would somebody please burp me....

Not everyone has arrived yet.... We had fun, but I don't think I would do that again...Way to much food for me.....

Venice

2011-03-19T13:25:00.000-04:00

While in Venice we went to the Correr Museum which is in Piazza S. Marco. we both enjoyed it very much and then since the ticket was a combo we went to the Doge Palace the next day. The art work is so amazing. It just blows me away. It was a miserable rainy day so perfect for the museum.

Our stay in Venice few by so fast. And it was hard to say good by. I had a nice visit with Yvonne. Then our friend from Rome, Cinzia, came for a quick visit. And on the 17th we all met up with Karen & Michael, who live in Venice, for dinner.
We had also taken the vaporetto across the Laguna to San Giorgio. Unfortunately it was closed so we couldn't take a tour...Oh well something to see the next time. I did take some nice pictures though.

Some photos of Verona

2011-03-16T05:35:00.022-04:00

Even here a Mickey D's this one had an outside eating area.


Arena

Just few more quilts

2011-03-15T11:39:00.020-04:00

Natasha Lehrer won for best use of color

Silvia Dell'Aere won a ribbon for "emotional impact"

These small quilts were in one of the many antique shops

The following quilts were displayed at the Loggia Barbaro

The traditional quilts where on display in a church.

Lunch in Verona with friends Saturday 12th

2011-03-15T10:48:00.001-04:00

My wonderful friend Yvonne who changed her reservation so that she could arrive a week early and attend the quilt show here in Verona

Lunch with new friends. Francesco & Laura .
Then on a little walking tour around town and stop off S. Zeno
BTW Lunch was delicious.....

bronze door

Silk Road Meet in Verona

2011-03-11T09:13:00.000-05:00

Galleria d'Arte Moderna Palazzo Forti

2011-03-10T17:29:00.002-05:00

We went to the galleria this morning to see the exhibit. Beautifully displayed in the lovely Palazzo Forti. And I will be able to show you my quilt. I'm so pleased to have been accepted into this show. I'm in wonderful company with very talented artists. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves

Via Appia Antica


This quilt is by Silvia Dell'Aere my new friend here in Italy. Her award was for Best Emotional Impact. A very beautiful piece.

Well that's it for today's photos. I will try to load more tomorrow....

We have arrived in Verona

2011-03-09T15:16:00.021-05:00

We left Tuesday afternoon for our flight to Verona Italy. We flew to Milan and then took a bus to the train station. (1 1/2 hour bus ride) We then caught a train to Verona (another 1 1/2 hour ride) Anyway, I'm here because my quilt Via Appia Antica has been juried in to the international show. It was a exhausting trip so when we finally got to our B & B we had to take a nap. After the nap we took a walk to get the lay of the land. I found a gallery displaying some very nice quilts. What a beautiful setting for the quilts. Surrounded by many antique marble busts. Leave it to the Italian to do up with a special flare. Tomorrow I hope to go and see where my quilt is hanging. At the Galleria d'Arte Moderna Palazzo Forti. I hope they let me take pictures...

Milan Train Station

Back In Vegas

2011-03-03T21:41:00.001-05:00

Aren't these the prettiest lanterns you're ever seen...I just fell in love with them. Photo was taken at the Wynn Hotel

Variety Club Youth Choir Flash Mob 'I am Australian'

2011-03-02T11:16:00.003-05:00

Over the last couple of years I have made several friends who are from Australia . One of my friends posted this on her blog. I was so moved by the video I wanted to share it with my friends and followers on my blog....

Would the real mouth of truth stand up......LOL

2011-03-02T09:29:00.001-05:00

Vegas part 3- Bellagio Hotel

2011-02-28T16:45:00.000-05:00

I took these photos at the Bellagio Hotel . They really don't to the Hotel justice. The Chinese New Year display was magnificent . Enjoy them

This ceiling of glass flowers by Dale Chihuly is in the lobby.

Las Vegas part 2

2011-02-26T10:33:00.000-05:00

Here we are at the Venetian Hotel. It has a Disney look to it. But I loved it anyways. It just mades me ansty to get back to the real place. Kind of like a tease. I mean, yes it's very clean. Just look at the water. It's not green...LOL...But it lacks a patina....LOL....This gondolier was singing Volare and we started to sing along with him...You should have seen the look on his face...I don't have a particularly good voice but what's the saying inVegas..."What happen in Vegas stays in Vegas"....LOL

It's very weird to see the Rialto Bridge with cars driving under it...Instead of the vaporetto....

Las Vegas

2011-02-25T21:01:00.001-05:00

I just got back from Las Vegas Wednesday night....It was a quick trip just 3 days. I went to visit a friend who moved out there sometime ago....This was the first time I've been back in almost 25 years..Things have sure changed. My friend Gail and I decided we had enough NE winter weather and booked a package. We stayed at the new city center Aria Hotel. Very modern, lots of glass very little pizazz. Lobby is fairly boring. Anyway nothing is all bad they have a very nice pool & spa area. The room was large and very nice. Very High Tech. All kinds of buttons for the lights,TV, Radio and even the drapes.

Our room with a King size bed. We asked for 2 queens but apparently they have very few of those. I've never heard of hotel not having many rooms with 2 queen size beds..

The was a lounge area outside the spa.

these are 2 very nice fiber art pieces

I think this was the best part of the hotel. I lost a big $5.00 on the penny machine..LOL I'm not exactly a high roller.. We saw 2 shows Barry Manilow and Elvis Cirque l'soile . We had a nice time. Would I recommend this Hotel? Not really. I spent one day looking at the other ones, Venetian and the Bellagio especially, were much nicer. I also like the Wynn.

Now I will get ready for Italy and the Verona Show.

Playing in Photoshop

2011-02-17T15:23:00.000-05:00

I've been playing in Photoshop again. Now I have to see how I can convert one of these projects into small quilt.
I don't want to just print this out on to fabric as one piece. I would like to layer it. To give more depth. So I'm open to suggestions as to which one is THE ONE...I can't seem to make up my mind. I can also combine
pieces of each to come up with the perfect quilt...so let me know what you think....

The Saga of the traveling Quilt

2011-01-20T16:25:00.000-05:00

My husband and I have been talking about going to Paris for a while now...Something different then going to Italy. But we haven't been able to get there because we always seem to end up in Italy...We Love Italy. Well I just went to check up on my quilt and guess where it is.....Yap...My quilt got to Paris before us .....

Sent my Quilt

2011-01-18T08:57:00.000-05:00

Well I finally bit the bullet and sent my entry to Verona. Via FedEx....the final cost. a whopping $123. But at this point I'm just tried of obsessing over it. It is what it is and part of the cost of doing business, so to speak...I don't think I will be doing many overseas shows...At least I don't have to pay for it to get back home. They are letting me pick it up after the show. I wish I could show it to you all, but I have to wait until after the show. Now I will pray it gets delivered without any problems. I put down "For exhibition Only" $1 value textile sample. So we shall see. I will let you know what happens...

sending quilt to Italy

2011-01-16T08:43:00.000-05:00

At this point I'm still trying to figure out which way to send my quilt to Verona. USPS is $58.00 but The Italian mail service does not have a very good reputation when it comes to the delivery of overseas packages. Most people have suggested FEDEX. I went to the FEDEX store yesterday to get a quote. OMG I nearly choked when he said $200. . What! the hold thing is barely 2 lbs. Box and all . It has been suggested that I get account at FEDEX so that I can get a discount. I will have to wait until Tomorrow to do that. Even the online service is closed on the weekend. It would be interesting to see how much it would be then. I was just on the UPS website and they quoted me at $156.20.....So that's where it stands at this moment....to be continued.......

Challenge Quilt

2011-01-14T08:55:00.002-05:00

Every year one of the quilt art groups that I belong to, has a challenge. This year my friend Debbie is the coordinator. We all received a fat quarter of polka dot fabric in different color ways. We were to make 12 square mini quilt in any abstract design we can come up with. This is a stretch for me because I don't generally do abstract. And really, one I'm not happy doing.... here's is my contribution.

Now, if you want to see a really nice one go visit my friend Norma's blog.

I'm going to Verona

2011-01-11T15:58:00.000-05:00

You can't imagine how nervous I was to open that email...I'm beside myself with happiest. Doing a happy dance around the house...Now where are those cheap flights I kept seeing and didn't book....

Ruby's quilt

2011-01-10T14:44:00.000-05:00

I just finished this top for my latest new great niece. Oh and she is the sweetest little girl and so adorable. Her name is Ruby Rose. Anyway, I been trying to keep busy today while I wait to see if I got into a juried show that will take place in Verona Italy in March. Notifications are suppose to go out today.Well, it's now 2:35p here so that means 8:35 there. I guess I will have to wait another day. This can be very nerve racking. In the mean time I will now move on the next baby quilt for another great niece due any day now.

Here we go again

2011-01-07T11:02:00.000-05:00

Making lemonade out of lemons

2011-01-01T09:29:00.000-05:00

As you know we didn't get to go on our cruise due to a blizzard we had here in NY.. It was disappointing, but we just took it in our stride. No sense in getting bent out of shape. I like to think that Tom and I can go with the flow. So we did. We had our un New Years Eve Cruise Party. My husband loves to cook. Our menu was Fillet Mignon with roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables and a salad. With several bottles of champagne, red & white wine and lovely Italian pastries. Here are our photos.

Best layed Plans

2010-12-29T18:46:00.000-05:00

See this ship. This is the Emerald Princess. Right now it's in the Caribbean sailing towards Aruba. Why am I telling you this? Well I'm supposed to be on it, with my husband and my friend Gail and her husband. Instead I'm stuck here in NY because Mother Nature had a hissey fit and dumped a hold lot of snow on us. Oh, between 12"-20" worth. So there was no way to get to Ft. Lauderdale. To say that we're a little bummed out is an understatement. We were so looking forward to New Years Eve party...It's been years since we've gotten all dressed up and gone out to celebrate. So our travel companions and my sister & brother in law are coming here for NYE and we will make a lovely dinner of Fillet Mignon, roasted potatoes. grilled veggies and salad.We will get all gussied up and open a bottle or 2 of bubbly to bring in the new year. One of my other friends suggested we get a tub of water and place it in the living room. Maybe put in a couple of boats. We can make believe were on the ship. Do a little swaying back and forth....LOL.

Day 3 Something New

2010-12-17T08:56:00.001-05:00

I have a small collection of buttons. Some of them antique and some are reproduction antique. I've always had a love of antique jewelry and back in the early 90's I took jewelry making classes in NYC at the Cecila Bauer studios. Right around the corner from FIT on 28th St. I worked in fine silver and gold. Anyway, I seem to have a certain style. Which seems to lean towards the romantic. I fine that is also the case with my quilts. If I had to describe my work with one word, that word would be dessert. And don't we all Love dessert...LOL

day 2 of Something New

2010-12-16T09:15:00.001-05:00

This bracelet was a real challenge. I had to follow a chart. So it was a lot of 2 rows forward and then 1 row back. Another words, a lot of unstitching. It was me or the chart and I won....LOL...At least I think I did. I like it. It is made with #11 delicas in jet black, 24k plated beads, and Swarovski crystals.

something new

2010-12-15T16:17:00.002-05:00

Just because I haven't been blogging regularly doesn't mean that I'm not working...LOL.....This necklace is made with #8hex beads, silver beads and dodads. And just for fun some freshwater pearls and a Murano bead. Here is a closeup. Tomorrow I will post a different piece....maybe a bracelet...

Love Letter's

2010-12-01T19:10:00.000-05:00

I can't believe a whole month went by without one post from me...I'm so sorry. I have been working and I do have pictures to post. For now I will post this sweet little quilt that I just finished. I friend of mine has a home decorating business. And she gave me lots and lots of upholstery samples. Really, a perfect size for small quilts.

I call it Love Letters..Ohhhh I'm such a romantic..
I also shared most of the fabric with my fellow art quilters.

Finished

2010-10-17T10:01:00.000-04:00

I'm happy to say that my 2 mini quilts are finished. If you click on the photo you can see some of the details. I really enjoyed doing these and have a couple of more in the works. After that I need to do think again about my Roman couple quilt...I think on that one I'm going to have to handquilt it. My machine quilting is not up to my standards yet. Anyone who thinks machine quilting is easy or maybe cheating is way wrong. For really good machine quilting you need a tremendous amount of patience and skill. Both of which I have not achieved...LOL So I'll stick with what I do best. Handquilting...It takes longer but I'm not going anywhere....LOL

Another 12" fiberart square

2010-10-08T09:42:00.000-04:00

Lately I have been on a 12" x 12" quilt kick...I guess you can say it's like eating potato chips. You just can't have one....LOL..And since I can't have the chips the quilts will have to do....Very Low Cal. And who knows, maybe someone one would like to purchase one. Here is my latest one, using a picture of a painting of Frida Kahlo. Not quite done yet. Needs to be quilted. But I just had to share...

Lesley Riley's workshop

2010-10-01T15:35:00.000-04:00

Last week my guild, Northern Star Quilters, had a visiting Fiber Artist as a guess speaker and teacher at our meeting.. I had taken one of
Lesley's workshops before, so was really excited about taking other one of her classes. And as usual I was not disappointed. This time we worked with Lutradur. We painted, used TAP transfer paper, used a heat gun and embossing powers. We were children playing and it was very liberating. Yesterday 4 of my friends came over and we played again. Here is a almost finish 12" quilt. It still needs to be layered and quilted. Hopefully I will get to it in the next day or two.

Via Appia Antica

2010-09-10T22:55:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post my husband and I where in Rome this past March. One of the many things we did was to take the Archo Bus out to the Appian Way. It was a beautiful spring day and we really had a wonderful time. This was one of the photos that I took.

In July my friends and I went QBL (quilting by the Lake) near Syracuse NY. There we took a class with Kerby Smith in Photoshop Elements 8. Where I learned to manipulated the photo that I took of the wall and saturate it with color. Kerby then printed it out on a wide format Epson printer on to a 11 x 17 inch fabric sheet. I have now made it into a small wall hanging.

2010-08-30T14:55:00.000-04:00

The art group that I belong to, FiberArtNE, has a challenge that is due this Thursday. It's a word challenge. The goal is to interpet a word in a quilt. To change it up a bit 2 people got the same word. The rules were that we were not to tell one another how we plan to use said word in our quilt. It will be interesting to see what everyone has done.

2010-08-23T09:52:00.001-04:00

This past month I have been taking my new knowledge of Photoshop Elements and incorporating it into my quilting.

I made this Photo Album for a friend as a Birthday present. I used photos of our meet up in Rome with the Traveling Scarves. A group of Ladies, who all met online on TripAdvisor.com in the Rome forum.

On this page I used a photo I took in Rome and using PSE I changed it from a color photo to a vintage photo. Place it on a textured background and using layers and the eraser tool blurred the edges. Then I pulled up the group photo and did the same, laying it on top of the previous photo. Printed it on TAP by Lesley Riley and ironed it on fabric.

Using the drop shadow tool in effects, I laid the 3 photos over a texture background that I created by using a photo of a statue from the Angel Bridge in Rome . Then I added a architectural stamps from the brush tool. These were printed on Fabric sheets.

All were embellished with ribbon trims and beads.

2010-08-19T22:04:00.000-04:00

. Here is an old photo of my Mom. I removed the original background and placed her in a new setting added wings and some butterflies and flowers. The new background texture is from edi07. If I remember correctly I got that one from flickr.com
Some of the flowers and the butterflies are stamps that I got on line from webdesignerlab.com. Wings from bes-stock.deviantart.com

2010-08-18T18:48:00.000-04:00

Awhile back I started this quilt. Along the way it has made a few changes and now I'm happy to say that the top is done. Yayyyyy! I had spent last weekend taking it apart (very frustrating)because I realized it wasn't square and there wasn't enough of the background to make it square.So when I put it back on to a new background fabric I decided on a couple of changes. Background is larger and I added a quarter inch flange. In the end I like it much better. So the next step is to mark it for quilting and then layer it up.

2010-08-08T18:53:00.000-04:00

I'm still playing with Photoshop...this is the latest

Some more photo manipulations in PSE

2010-07-31T08:38:00.001-04:00

Looking up at the Pantheon Dome

I love this one. It's a wall that is on the Appian Way in Rome....Tom and I took a open air hop on hop off bus ride. It was well worth the 10 euro ea. It was a beautiful day and we were with wonderful friends.

Back from QBL

2010-07-29T22:32:00.000-04:00

Last week I was at QBL. For non Quilters it's Quilting by the Lake.. This year it was up at Onondaga Community Collage in Syracuse NY. Myself and 3 friends took a Photoshop Elements class with Kerby Smith.

this is one of the pictures that I manipulated in PSE. The other 2 will have to wait for tomorrow before I can upload them. It seems that Blogger doesn't like them....LOL....

Photoshop

2010-06-27T08:14:00.000-04:00

I'm taking an online Adobe Photoshop class with Marie Otero. After a slow start I think I'm getting the hang of this. Here are just a couple of photos that I worked on.

Acqua di San Giovanni

2010-06-22T08:52:00.001-04:00

Every morning I get a Newsletter from Italian Notebook.com It is short, so its quick and easy to read. Today this little story arrived and I thought I would share it. This is why I just love this country. It speaks to my soul.

Acqua di San Giovanni

Pre-School Graduation day

2010-06-21T21:36:00.002-04:00

This Grandma just has to show off her grandson. Here's Joseph and his cousin Michaela....

Top finished - well almost....

2010-06-20T09:32:00.000-04:00

I have attached the borders and added dark navy blue batik in the corners. I really had no choice about the corners. I ran out of the blue and so couldn't continue the block design. So instead I hope to applique rosettes in the four corners. This is the last time I will show the quilt on blog until I'm finished with the quilting.I also want to thank everyone who stop by and sent along advice and suggestions. It was very much appreciated.

2010-06-19T16:47:00.000-04:00

I had some fellow quilters over last Thursday and we discussed what I should do next. I wasn't pleased with the border I had done with the black squares in the center. Too distracting. We tried all kinds of things like turning the border around placing the blue on the inside. I definitely didn't like that. Then we tried adding a different color over the black. Until we decided that I would alternate the colors like I did in the circle of tiles.

I fused 1 1/2" squares over the black and then satin stitch around the edges. I think I did a pretty good job on the satin stitches, if I don't say so myself.....

Quilt -

2010-06-15T08:06:00.002-04:00

I'm still working on this quilt. Don't know if I over work it. I think it has be too much stuff around my couple. I just might take everything off except the first ring. Place it on a dark background and be done with it. Here are 2 photos one with the 3 of the new 4 borders and one where I pinned all the border rings to the back and placed it on a background just to see how it looks. As usual I'm obsessing over this.

Gallery Show 2010

2010-06-10T09:44:00.003-04:00

This is the 2nd year for the Fiberart Northeast groups' show at the Mahopac Library. The following is just a few photos that I took. There are more photos posted on the fiberart blog.
View from the balcony at the library.

2010-06-05T15:25:00.000-04:00

So here I am again, and this is what has been done since I last posted. I removed the black ring and did it over. I know, I'm a gluten for punishment...

As I'm working on this piece I'm thinking "How the heck am I going to quilt the couple". I've studied a lot of portrait quilts and to tell the truth there are very few that I like once the have stitched the face. If I follow the contours of a face I'm afraid it would look like wrinkles. I'm no Hollis Chatelain. I did see a quilt at the New Jersey Show not to long ago of a little girl. The quilter did a small meandering and it was very neat. I liked it a lot. But I'm still afraid of messing it up. My friend Jane gave me a very good suggestion. That is to scan the couple in the PC and print up some fabric sheet. How cool is that. So I did. Now I'm thinking gee these are pretty neat. Wouldn't it look great in a mini quilt. So I guess there will be more to come....

2010-06-04T09:46:00.000-04:00

As you can see I have added the next ring, and pinned it to a midnight blue batik. After I did this, I didn't like the black ring around the couple any longer. So I did a mark up with the same batik as the outer ring, leaving a 1/4" of black showing. I can either take out the black ring all together, or I will do a reverse applique.

Now for the 4 corners. I had made some mosaic squares but to be honest it looked a bit to much. I did have a suggestion from 2 friends, and it sounded like it might work. That is to quilt the mosaic designs into the 4 corners using variegated thread. Or I can applique something into each corner.

I have been asked by a few friends if I was making this for anything in particular. I will like to enter it in a show sometime but I haven't any in mind at the moment. I just want to do my best work without any pressure of a show deadline or size.

New Quilt - working name "Roman Couple"

2010-05-31T10:08:00.011-04:00

This is were I'm at right now. I had plan to put several different mosaic tile one in each corner. But was talked out of it buy some of my friends. Who's opinions I value I decided to just go ahead a square it off. Right now I'm auditioning backgrounds. I like the black. It is the same as the black around the picture. I just think it needs something else just before the black. Maybe another 2" ring. I don't have any more of the off white (beige) fabric left. Here are 2 more ideas...Opinions would be appreciated....

2010-05-19T11:56:00.002-04:00

It seems I can't concentrate on anything else but this quilt. So I went back to my photos of Italian church floors to look at designs. What I notice was that they used several different colors in their mosaics. And I thought, well if they could do that, why can't I. So I started another ring to replace the one I had on it already. I think it would make an easier transition to the next ring or for me to square it off.

2010-05-15T15:30:00.004-04:00

I have decided to let the new quilt sit for awhile and work on something else. I think it needs to percolate a bit before it tells me what it needs...So I went and painted some sample Lutradur. I like it so far. I plan to make a book with photos from this last trip to Italy...

New quilt next step

2010-05-14T09:23:00.000-04:00

I'm now trying to decide what to do next. I picked 3 different fabrics for the next ring. Two Grey's and one in dark chocolate brown, which actually shows up a little redder in the photo.
Should it be a 4" border or a 1" border?

New Quilt

2010-05-12T21:15:00.007-04:00

I started this quilt right after the New Year. Then it sat. Finally after returning from Italy a plugged ahead adding the clothing and the 2 rings.
I tested out several colors before finely settling for the gray marble batik seen
in the 3rd photo. I felt the white was too bright and pulled your eye away from the portrait.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Scarves - Rome 2010

2010-05-08T07:30:00.014-04:00

Here we are in the Piazza in front of the Pantheon. And what a time we had. On this night we were celebrating the up coming marriage of Katina. Meeting up with my online Sisters was a real treat for me. Now we are all home and wishing we were back in that fabulous city called Rome.
I have been to Rome several times and each time find something new to see and new restaurants to eat at. On this trip I was able to see the Caravaggio Exhibit, which I have to say was fantastic. We weren't able to reserve tickets but it was still worth lining up and waiting 20 minutes to get in. On another day several of us took the ArcheoBus out on to the Appian Way to the Catacombs Look at that Road. Ancient Roman soldiers walked down that road. On June 5, 1944 General Mark Clark of the US 5th Army walked down this road and into Rome. Aside for all the history. And you can get overwhelmed with it all. It was so peaceful out there. Considering it was March the weather was beautiful. We spent a good part of the day there and had a pleasant lunch at a outdoor cafe.
Oh yes, Tom was there also.....LOL.....I could never go to Italy without my husband. He Loves Italy as much as I do. It wouldn't fair....
Dinner at La Cisterna
A day trip to Ostia Antica. We took a tour of the Castle that is across the way from the ancient site.

That's it for now. There is more to come.

Dragon Fly Purse

2010-03-13T20:16:00.000-05:00

I just finished this purse. I made it to wear with a smashing red dress the I bought for Rome. Oh, did I mention I'm leaving on Wednesday for Italy. Yes, I'm off again to Bella Italia. Can't wait to meet up with the Sisterhood of the Traveling Scarves.

2009-12-28T13:21:00.003-05:00

You just never know when you will be visited by your past....Today I received a email from someone who would like information on one of the dolls I made in 1985. Wow, that was a long time ago. A baby born that year is now 25 years old. Kind of freaks me out. Well I told her that the doll was made for a Luncheon. It was a souvenir gift. Can't remember how many I made or how much I was paid. Don't even remember the name of the Doll Club that commissioned me. It's an original sculptured half doll.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Scarves

2009-12-26T20:25:00.001-05:00

I have a group of online girlfriends. They're from all over the world. We all met in the Italian Forum on TripAdvisor and have been hanging out online for the past 2yrs. Last February a group of Ladies got together in Rome for the first time. There is a webcam on top the hotel next to the Pantheon, so they would tell us what time they would be there, and we would all get online to watch as they waved to us. It was such a hoot. People passing must have thought they were nuts waving their scarves at the webcam. If they even knew there was a webcam there. Anyway this March there is going to be another meet up. I was not able to go last year, but I plan on going this year. We will meet up in two places this time. Rome and Venice. Did I mention we nicknamed ourselves the Sisterhood of the Traveling Scarves? Hence the title at the top. In our conversations someone mentioned t-shirts, and I thought what a great idea. Then Michelle sent me a web page of an illustrator from Australia. Her name is Shell Sherree . I just fell in Love with her work and so commissioned her to do an illustration for our group. So that's three of us standing in a gondola in front of the Pantheon.

2 necklaces using Murano glass beads

2009-12-21T13:51:00.007-05:00

Three Black and gold handmade Murano glass beads from Italy accented with black and gold seed beads. $110.00
Matching earrings $25.00
Bronze delica beads worked in a peyote stitch to create the chain and bail. The Focal bead is another one of my Murano glass beads bought on my last rip to Venice. $110.00

2009-12-19T11:30:00.002-05:00

Today's necklace is made with seed beads in various sizes, shapes and colors using a spiral stitch. The focal point is a Murano (Venice,Italy) glass bead. Don't know if bead is the right wrong. But I thought tongue sounded pretty gross....LOL The Price of this piece is $80.00

2009-12-18T16:28:00.001-05:00

I've decided to post some of my jewelry that I have for sale. If you are interested please feel free to email me at maxinetom@optonline.net for a price. No obligation.

Today it is 2 Pendants made with Swarovski Crystals and gold vermeil seed beads. Special orders are welcomed.

My birds' nest has an occupant

2009-12-14T11:03:00.004-05:00

I just came back from the $ Store where I found the perfect little bird to take up residence in my nest. I know, you think I have too much time on my hands. That or I'm really losing it....LOL.

Tree top Angel

2009-12-09T20:35:00.006-05:00

I made this Angel in the 1980's. This was when I was very much into doll collecting and doll making. I did my own sculpting and mold making. Then the molds were pored in porcelain, fired to a bisque then china painted. With many firings in between.

I don't make dolls anymore. I felt I went as far as my limited talent would go. And with all the so called collectible dolls coming out of the orient it was just not profitable anymore. Even so, I still have my collection. Many of the dolls I own are made by other Doll Artists.

Bird Nest

2009-12-09T18:54:00.001-05:00

today I bought some Jordan Almonds and put them into the tiny bird nest.....Looks real doesn't it.....

This Years Christmas Tree

2009-12-08T19:24:00.006-05:00

It's that time of the year again for our annual Xmas tree hunt. Like last year we travel about an hour and half North of were we live to a tree farm to look for the PERFECT tree. I'm a big fan of the frasier tree. Tight needles, strong branches. Of course it snow the day before. Our first snow of the season. It was a beautiful ride up. But a real challenge to fine that perfect tree. We schook the snow off a lot of trees...LOL...I was sure glad I wore my silk long johns and wool socks.

Today while I was putting the lights on I found this really cute bird nest. I'm going to save it. Maybe get some fake eggs to put in it. I think my grandsons are going to love it.

Macro Quilt

2009-12-08T12:34:00.004-05:00

I belong to a SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Assoc.) group that meets once a month. Our latest challenge was to take a Macro Photo of anything that inspires you and make a quilt using the image in any form that you would like. I chose a photo that I took in Florida of a hibiscus. I then sent it into my Adobe Photoshop and posterized it. Which brings out all the subtle shades and printed it on fabric. Next I fused it onto Timtex after which I machine stitched in the different colors with DMC cotton thread. After the stitching, I added beads to the stamen After which I added it to the top of a quilted background.

Disney World part 2

2009-12-04T20:10:00.014-05:00

We also loved the firework displays. Especially at Epcot. Illuminations. We saw it twice. Awesome. That all I can say. If you're going to Disney World , it's a must see. We also saw the parade and fireworks at Fantasy Land. After dinner at the Italian Restaurant in Epcot we came out on to the Piazza (It's made to look like San Marco in Venice) There was an acting troupe just beginning their show. Which was called Romeo & Edna. Scene 1 Verona.....And guess who they pull out of the audience to play Romeo. My man Tom. And did he ham it up.

You can hear me laughing myself silly as I was recording this. He really got into it...Who knows maybe he has a new career...here are a couple of more pictures. It's really cute but of course can't compare to the real thing.

Here are some more pictures of our Disney Adventure. Notice how big Joseph's gets. This was the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.

Disney World

2009-12-04T19:54:00.006-05:00

A couple of weeks after our Arizona trip we went to Disney World. It was a treat for my daughter and her family. It was so much fun watching my 2 grandsons enjoy it. Especially the Country Bear Jamboree. Which, by the way, is my very favorite.

2009-11-30T17:57:00.006-05:00

This fall has been a very busy one for me and my husband. First we went to Arizona for his nephew wedding..We haven't been to that area of the country in 22 yrs and it was really nice to revisit the Phoenix area. The wedding was a lot of fun with a Halloween theme. Of course the Bride was beautiful. And if you look closely you will see the necklace I made for her.

Now for some beautiful landscapes. So very different from the East Coast.....

2009-11-14T15:26:00.004-05:00

Here are 3 necklaces that I thought might interests some of my clients without being over the top.
Single pendants made with Swarovski crystals and Miyuki (Japanese) beads strung on a antique bronze chain

New Jewelry

2009-11-14T15:04:00.002-05:00

It's that time of the year again. Time to make some new pieces for the Holiday Boutique.
Northern Star Quilters Guild and the Desmond Fish Library are the 2 that I will have my work in. This necklace to my right is made with Venetian Murano glass beads that I bought when I was in Venice taking a lace making class. Also included in this necklace are Swarovski crystals and gold vermeil beads and spacers.

This necklace also has Murano glass. The chain is a spiral
design done in 2 shades of blue and bronze color Janpanese beads

2009-10-24T18:48:00.000-04:00

Look at this little guy. Is that the cutest...He was very contented to sit on my railing eating his nuts.
Now I know who is making a mess on my front porch.

My new Ipod and a day apple picking

2009-10-12T13:58:00.003-04:00

The last time I posted I mentioned that I won an ipod. Well I took it with me apple picking. This little puppy does a whole bunch of things. One of them is taking videos. And what better then to video tape Grandson #1 Matthew picking apples. It would be an understatement to say I'm having a lot of fun with my new toy. It took me a while to figure out how to load it to the PC but my getting to be a very tenacious person. I refuse to give up.

Apple picking is something the whole family likes to do every year at this time. Then when get home and we all help my daughter peel and cut the apples for the pies. As in 2 very delicious pies. Here's a little sample of what my ipod does.

Yorktown Street fair

2009-10-10T15:43:00.001-04:00

Today the town that I live in had their 1st Street Fair. Many local businesses where their advertising their services. Lots of games for the children and food to eat. Many free goodies. So my husband and I decided to go and see what it was all about. While I was there I signed up for all the free raffles. Walk around, talked to a whole lot of people. Generally enjoying the day. So when we came home; there was a message on our answering machine. I WON AN IPOD. The newest one. Can you believe it takes videos? How cool is that....Am I excited...You bet your bitty.....here is a photo of my new toy.