Official Portrait of Bernie and her colorful friends

Bernie, the official portrait.
I made another stencil book yesterday with the intention of sewing it on the machine. The background above is a left over scrap of the book. Well, I think I pushed my little Bernie to a point she wouldn't go---but what I did was rather stupid come to think of it but it didn't hurt her. She is a tough little thing. This top image was ---well, just sewn on to see what it would look like. I had written the quote the other day on a scrap. Looks ok.... I wouldn't frame it or anything but it's kinda interesting. It might look like it was just stuck on there with no cohesiveness or integration. So here is my new motto---"just because I can stitch it on doesn't mean that I should! "

 I will take some pictures and blog the stencil book tomorrow.
Here are the scraps left from the Random Rag book from yesterday. It's small and here are just a few of the pages.
This  is my favorite one. I think that I will save all my calligraphy scraps and even make some more to sew in books. 

...some little acrylic flowers in the pocket...not sewn shut this time...

Bernie and I are becoming fast friends. She has adapted to her new home quite well. 

Rags and Random Moments Book

Front cover

I actually held my breath and stitched the bird on later. It was very heavy card stock and the thread came out so I guess I pushed it to it's limit. Actually I am sure I could have rethreaded and gone on--I got brave after I took the pic.

FAITH- HOPE- LOVE is done with a Zig calligraphy marker. I love the look of calligraphy markers on canvas. Then you can outline--or whatever.  Maybe that will be my next online class.
There was no planning for any of the pages, I basically "randomly" put stuff on, whatever was close by because basically I was testing all the stitches to see what would happen.  I didn't use the free stitch foot because I was so in the Bernina zone that I forgot I even had it. It took me one whole afternoon and into the night to complete it but as you know--you look up and several hours have passed.


That's a little pocket of Poppies that accidently got sewn shut.



This book was inspired by the cover of the current issue of Somerset Sew. Goodness, what would I do if I was not so inspired ay all the artists on the blogs, mags and websites?? Hummm (that's a hummm for sure!)---I wonder if I would be dead in the water---artistically speaking of course--or would I be off on some different art adventure with just me and my muse? I often wonder that--but no need to go there because I am here--- now--- and loving being inspired by so many wonderful artists who are so willing to share how they make their art. Thank you to all---and most of you know who you are!

Ok back to the book----I was so excited that the needle went through this many layers painted canvas that I almost fell off my chair in excitement. Now if I can just learn to sew on a button!

Just Playin' Around

The image above one measures about 4 x 8 and the one below is 5 x 5.
I have to say I haven't had this much fun in quite a while. I do love my new Bernina now that I've kinda gotten the hang of it. I can switch thread color fairly quickly now so that's helpful.  I really had no plan with these pieces but just started piecing some watercolors together that I had torn up. And the calligraphy was just little practice pieces that I had.

The bottom one is a watercolor sewn on to canvas and the three little dots are French Knots. They are fun to do too--of course they are hand stitched. The magic Bernina isn't quite that magic--

It's all really fun but I have noticed one thing---thread color is like paint color--you need them all!

Maiden Voyage on the Bernina

I am very excited to have my new baby, the Bernina.  Now that I have learned to thread it and bobbin it---I am off and having so much fun.  As you can see I tried my free stitch foot and it kinda got away from me. Need to practice on that one. I will start the Mastery classes on August 1st so I can really learn to sew---probably about 45 years over due---Mama would be proud of me---

1st image--original painting on watercolor

2nd, 3rd,4th images printed on fabric

5th image--original on watercolor

6th --original acrylic on gessoed canvas--this one almost went into the trash after I painted it but I found it in the back of a drawer---I kinda like it better now with the stitching.

I'm in love---with a Bernina!

When I was up in Greenville, SC, visiting our daughter and Little Marc---just a moment, I have to do this...awwwwww, little Marc...ok I'm back now...and as I was saying, while visiting I sewed on her Bernina sewing machine and I honestly fell head over heels in love. She actually warned me to step away slowly from the machine if I knew what was good for me.(she knows me oh so well and knew I would have to have one!)...but.. too late!  Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, the stitches, the ease...the computer!  I really do want to learn to sew stuff for mixed media art stuff and maybe advance to some other things.  

So, I have been saving my art bucks for something---I think I know now what I want--of course I can't get one like hers but hopefully a lesser model with just some of those stitches and that computer!

Here is just a little thing that I was practicing sewing that  came together last night while watching "So You Think You Can Dance?" (my favorite show) while playing with the Bernina.

Look at all those stitches...and you can change in mid stitch---aahhhhh...
Some card stock watercolor scraps sewn on too.

Watercolor images that I cut out and tried out some borders

....so many stitches...so little time....
I even changed the thread color and rethreaded...now that's a feat!

Did I say I was in love???????