Its a party!

Donna over at the Ribboned Crown is having a swashbuckling party! Visit her here and plan on being there on May 3d for a pirate ship full of fun! I'll be there in the evening, 'cause I will be at another "party" during the day. It is time once again for the Marylad Sheep and Wool Fest! If you live anywhere near DC, it is free and full of every type of fiber stuff you can think of... and some you can't! From the critter (or plant or beaker) to the finished product, it will be there.

I am really a critter farmer without a farm... realistically I probably will never have one, but I can dream!

More Mermaids

So here is another little quilty using mermaids as the subject. I wanted to try the edge treatment in the latest Quilting Arts issue. It will be terrific, but definately takes practice. The technique consists of two stitchings over a cordenette. If you pull too much while stitching it stretches right out, and if you don't keep enough tension on, it gets crooked and sucks the edge into the needle plate. Still, with practice I think it will be a terrific solution. As to the quilty itself, The shell is a wet matte medium transfer, the mermaid was printed on silk, and the lovers also on silk but then applied to a pearlized vinyl scrap. The flowers were a thrift store find, and the rest of the embellishments rounded the piece out. I especially love the silver fish, a button from the fabric store I work in... it is nice to have inspiring goodies right at hand.

Sneaky Little Bandit

Oh they are cute! I have been watching the squirrels get fatter and fatter... and now I find out I was not the only one in this house feeding them! DH was also falling for their innocent little faces, soooo hungry, very hungry, starving, really! One Ear seems to be almost as wide as long... and this little cutie is Junior. He has the thinnest tail of any of the ones I recognize. He is also pretty slender, or at least normal size.

The whole group seems to take shifts. There is usually one out there when I put out the first batch. Not long after, a second and third show up. Maybe one or two more. Then when Gil sets out peanuts, a whole other group appears, seldom the same as the morning. If I sit outside in the evening, a couple always show up, and get right up close, even sitting right next to me, looking expectant. I am a sap, I really am. They make me laugh, and that is something I value.

I have been Tagged!

By AKATRIX! So I am supposed to tell 6 weird things about myself and tag 6 others. THAT part will be easy. Okay

1. I am a paleontologist by education

2. I spent 10 years in the Navy (not doing paleontology)

3. I have a wonderful husband, daughter and son

4. I only discovered my artful side when I was 46

5. I like to drive big trucks (like hummers!)

6. I play in a living history group... I was born 1500 years too late (but I like flush toilets and clean sheets)

Whew! Okay, I tag:

Patty (http://www.bitze.wordpress.com/.)

Darlene (http://www.artticulation.blogspot.com/.)

Heather (http://www.creativesolace.blogspot.com/.)

Jo Ann (http://www.paper-cats-page.blogspot.com/.)

Barbara (http://www.artifytheheart.typepad.com/.)

Kris (http://krishubick.blogspot.com/.)

I love all you gals...so pony up!

Charmed...

I have mailed off the charms for one of the Yahoo groups I belong to... In This House. The charms had images of birds and/or either hands, moons or nests. I used watercolor paper (2 layers)for the base. I then covered them with batik fabric and fussycut various birds etc, some of paper, some fabric. I covered them with sparkley glaze, added a crystal, punched holes for and added the hanger, dipped in embossing plastic on the edges, and Voila! This one was extra, so I added beads and a long soutache braid for a necklace. Too fun!

I have been in a very "nesty" sort of mood this spring, and these charms are an homage to that feeling. I have looked through the new Studios issue of Cloth Paper Scissors, it is a real inspiration. Slowly but surely I am working my way through the chaos in my studio, I may never have a space worth publishing, but eventually it will be much more functional and more conducive to creativity. A little better every week.

More Eye Candy

So at the end of the pages I will put up the tags too! The book is a hardpage children's book, covered in 2 batik fabrics, and stamped a bit for background. The pockets are batiks, stamped silks and hand dyed cottons, some I used hardwire clothh to do rubbings with Shiva oilsticks, and several are overlaid by organza or gauze. There are various elements embellishing the book too, Tyvek, iridecent tissue with plastic, and pretty stones, and a few crystals. The funny weedy looking stuff is thin Japanese paper hand dyed with ink. I fussy cut some fish as well. More tomorrow! And doesn't this little lady look satisfied. The dark spot on her flank is a scar, but she doesn't seem to be missing out on her munchies! Michelle at Fairie *Dust* Dreams is having a RAK giveaway! Visit her site here and take a look. She does lovely work, I will bet you would love to get something she created!

Mermaids

Another teaser, mermaids are in my brain these days. One Ear showed back up today, and got his share of peanuts, but wouldn't stay to pose for the camera. Little Boy and White Ears were there too, and a sweet looking youngster. A girl I think. They don't always parade around so I can be sure! I am working on the last of my house charms, and drawing madly to get sizes right for my fabric caravan. Good stuff!

Almost gone...

Okay Heather, if you are reading this, here is a teaser... I am finally done with the book, and will post it tomorrow. I couldn't figure out what was missing, but your poem gave me the final puzzle piece. Mine is on the back of the tags... hope you enjoy!

How Many?

My word there are alot of squirrels who dine at Chez Kim! I have started keeping a photographic record of them all. So far I have pictures of One Ear, Scar Butt, Skinny, Fatty, White Ears, and Fluffy, but there are lots more. Half Tail, Notch, Junior and Dopey come alot, and several more come occasionally. I have to go back through my pics to be sure I haven't forgotten any.

Today it is raining, and everytime one of the little cutties comes to see if there are more nuts, we throw out a little handful. Such diligence must be rewarded! I always worry if I don't see one for awhile, but then he will show up just fine, so I guess they just vary where they eat. I am sure I am not the only sap feeding them! More pics tomorrow!