It's been too long since I last posted! Lots going on, and the blog seems to the be thing that gets cut when I'm busy. I post almost daily on Facebook since it's quick, so if you're on FB and you'd like to see what I've been up to a bit more often, send me a friend request! I finished a book using the pink and orange goose painting that I showed you in my last post. I had so much fun using bright spring colors!
The spine is made from velvet cut from an old dress, and vintage lace.
The signature wraps include some of my favorite things- vintage silk, velvet, and lace, hand dyed snippets, and of course, lots of free motion quilting.
I enjoyed adding bits and pieces of my grandmother's crazy quilt scraps throughout the book. You can see some on the pocket below:
And here's another pocket with some of Grandma's scraps:
Below are more of her crazy quilt scraps that I worked into the back cover. Since art rules don't work well for me, this is my version of crazy quilting. I wonder what Grandma would think :-)
French knots work great to attach pieces of sheer beaded lace that are difficult to glue.
Each of the six signatures have stitching on the center fold.
I smiled a lot while creating this book. Memories of my sweet Grandmother, as well as knowing that the book will be going to someones daughter and newborn grand daughter, made it a delight to spend time with.
I can't sign off without sharing more excitement about my teaching trip to Italy- I leave in 9 days! One of the places I'm so excited about seeing during my extra week in Italy, is a butterfly house near Siena. The Garzoni gardens are there as well, and I look forward to photographing the statuary and spring flowers.
Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I found an entire town nicknamed, The Butterfly Town! Bordano is around 70 miles from Venice, has a population of about 800, and artists have painted murals on the walls of many of the houses. Sounds like the perfect place to me. I plan to stay 3 days in Venice, so I'll use one of those days to visit Bordano. I look forward to sharing loads of beautiful photos when I return!
If you ever have the chance to take a workshop in Italy with Kristin and Bill Steiner, I highly recommend that you do! They are wonderful to work with, gifted at what they do, and although I haven't been there yet, I have no doubt that my time in Orvieto will be perfect in every way.
Ohhhh .... be still, my heart! I just can't tell you the way your work stirs my soul. It's beyond words. If only I could hold this book in my hands! Sigh. "Just breathe, Frances .
Posted by: company logo design | 09/14/2011 at 04:22 AM
Oh the colour!!!
Posted by: meandering pearl | 06/25/2011 at 01:29 AM
Lovely...your blog explodes with color!
Posted by: Sue Kment | 05/15/2011 at 11:25 AM
Your newest book is yummy. love the colors!
If I dont talk to you before you leave, have a wonderful trip, cant wait to see your photos
Posted by: laurie | 04/26/2011 at 12:52 PM
Gorgeous book! Love all the colors and textures!
Posted by: Thespoena McLaughlin | 04/26/2011 at 10:20 AM
What a beautiful book. Your painting looks fabulous as the cover
Posted by: Angela | 04/26/2011 at 05:30 AM
A beautiful book! I know you're going to have a fabulous time. I understand your excitement; I'm going to Venice and Tuscany in September and am already excited about it.
Posted by: joanne thieme huffman | 04/26/2011 at 04:11 AM
a truly awe-inspiring book!
hope you don't mind, i've sent a facebook request as you suggested :)
Posted by: Claire | 04/26/2011 at 01:15 AM
I absolutely love this book. The goose is great. So colorful and cheery. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Carol P | 04/25/2011 at 08:31 PM
Dj,
I'm a long time stalker, first time commenting. Your art just takes my breath away. I hope to take a workshop one day. I'm hoping you will do an online version of your book workshop. In the meantime I visit & stare & become inspired to try my hand at it again.
Thanks,
Lisa
Posted by: lisa | 04/25/2011 at 08:02 PM
I love your book- it is very beautifully done-so bright and colourful and with a nice bird on the cover. But I especially love your Canada Goose at the end of this blog post- the soft colouring is so pretty and complements the goose nicely. Do you sell your work? This is the first time I have seen your blog and I will mark it as a favorite for future reference.
Posted by: Marshaleith.wordpress.com | 04/25/2011 at 07:14 PM
Oh MY Goodness!!!!! YOUR fabulous work in Bright happy colors is BREATHTAKING!!!!!! The new owners are going to treasure it. I love your version of crazy quilting along with all of the other versions. Rules are meant to be thrown out, after all!!
I so wish that I could travel to Italy- perhaps when college tuition's are all taken care of ........ Sigh!!
I am so looking forward to all of your fabulous pictures!! Safe Travels!!!
Posted by: Elizabeth Woodford | 04/25/2011 at 01:17 PM
dj, belisimo! Your book is a visual treasure and I can only imagine how much fun you had creating it. Your Gram would be proud. Have a wonderful time on your trip and I'll be sending a friend request on facebook today. Bon Voyage!
Posted by: Jeannie | 04/25/2011 at 12:54 PM
dj, all the things u've shown Rt inspiring & superb!
Posted by: teddi | 04/25/2011 at 12:31 PM