Art Shows

My two amigurumis won second place at the Stow Munroe Falls Library Needlework Show. Yeah! The exhibit is up until 5:00 pm today (27th March).

Next year I'm going for first. I plan to finish my dragon, make a second one, and pose them in a fight scene. I think that a bit of action would really help my creations.

Last year, I wanted to enter the National Collage Society's Postcard exhibit, but I did not get my fabric art completed in time. This year, however, I was ready. Here is my collage and the inspiring photo taken at Put in Bay's Butterfly House.

Needlework Show

Well, I didn't get my amigurumi dragon finished in time for the Needlework submissions. Instead of stressing, I decided to take my time finishing the dragon for next year's show and submit two other projects that I already completed. They are not my best pieces, but acceptable.

The first is a wiener dog that I made for my daughter. The second is a chocolate cake with orange margarine topping.

The Needlework Show is at the Stow Munroe Falls Library and all submissions will be free to view starting Wednesday, March 23rd through March 27th.

Puppet Scarf

I just had to post this. I first saw this project on the Craftzine site. What could be better; it's super cute, fun, and easy to make. Oh, I know! How about free?

This pattern is from Red Heart and FREE! Click here for the pattern.

Red Heart has a lot of free patterns on their site with varying ranges of skill levels and project types. If this pattern isn't to your taste, look around their site and I'm sure you'll find something to occupy your time - which if you are snowbound like me is a necessity.

Mug Rugs

I just finished my mug rugs for the Quilting Gallery's Mug Rug Swap.

The two mug rugs I created.

I love the swaps from Quilting Gallery. There are more than just the typical block swaps. We've completed wall-hangings, candle mats, and lot of other fun quilting projects.

You can see other mug rugs created by other participants at the group's Flickr page.

Current and Past Projects

Wow, has it really been so long since I've posted? After the crocheting and fabric portrait-making frenzy last April, I was a bit burned out on crafting. I have not done much experimental crafting, but I have completed a few projects for competitions and fundraising.

I entered two amigurumi pieces in last year's Needlework Art Show at the Stow-Munroe Falls Library and both pieces took third place. This was quite exciting because it was the first time I had entered a competition.

The pattern for the panda was from the crochet-a-long that I posted about before. The sushi patterns were from Tasty Crochet: A Pantry Full of Patterns for 33 Tasty Treats.

This year I am working on a dragon. The pattern is by Lucy Ravenscar. I love Lucy's patterns. Not only are they super cute and detailed, the instructions are clear and easy to follow. I've purchased several of Lucy's patterns and have been very happy with the results. Here's Lucy's photo of the dragonet:

And here is what I've accomplished in the past two days:

After the Radcom Art Show, there was a fundraising auction for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I created this Daffodil Trail fabric portrait to be auctioned. Next to it, is the framed version of my Romeo and Juliet in Central Park.

The next competition I was going to enter was for the National Collage Society. Unfortunately, life got in the way and I didn't get it finished in time. Here is the finished fabric portrait and the photo I used. The photo was taken at the Butterfly House at Put In Bay.

I am also currently working on a Mug Rug Swap. I hope to have the mug rugs complete this weekend, so I'll have something to share on that.

Radcom Art Show

I have a really good excuse this time for not posting in ages. I have been preparing for my first ever art show. It is through my employer who is doing it as a fund raiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. All money that I make that day will be donated to the cause. I have a few more pieces to finish and frame. Here is some of what I will be selling:

Join me at the show, if you can. There are several other artists with everything from photography, to blown glass, to jewelry. Here are the details.

Saturday, April 17th, 2010

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Radcom

561 Boston Mills Rd. Suite 400

Hudson, OH 44236

330-650-4777

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You can also get more information or sign up as an artist at: http://www.radcomservices.com/art-show. Hope to see you there!

Teddy Bears with Heart by Deborah Chaddock Brown

Today's guest post is from Deborah Chaddock Brown. She has an incredible blog, Make or Break Moments. She is a freelance writer, speaker, and trainer. She provides her audience with real life solutions and examples that help to market their business, establish their expert status, and enhance the customer relationship.

She also has a passion for crafting, and she has been gracious enough to share information on her most recent project. Thanks Deborah!

Teddy Bears With Heart 
By Deborah Chaddock Brown

I’ve found a way to keep the memory of my Dad as a visible presence in my life. A couple of years ago he tried the South Beach diet and went from an XL to a L and sent my son some of his too large, colorful sport shirts. Occasionally, my son will wear one of them and it brings a smile to my face. We lost my Dad unexpected almost one year ago and seeing that little reminder of my Dad is a great comfort.

As we approach the one year anniversary of his passing I wondered what I might do for the family that would be meaningful and yet fun. I saw the shirts in my son’s closet and convinced him to donate a couple of them to the cause. Going through my embarrassingly large collection of craft books, I stumbled upon a classic: Two-Hour Teddy Bears by Anita Louise Crane.

This bear is called Bearheart. I made him for my Mom. The body of the bear is made from one of Dad’s Ralph Lauren sport shirts. The heart I constructed from a quilted placemat I found at the Dollar Tree. “Always” was the song my folks fell in love to and was considered their song. I thought it would be a fitting sentiment to cross stitch on the front of the heart. 

I am making a different bear for each member of the family using scraps from his shirts. In some cases the shirts will be used for a vest in others for the wings on an angel bear. In every case, the bears will be constructed with love and a gentle reminder of someone dear to our hearts.

If you have lost someone close to you, consider using one of their garments to accent a craft piece so that you have a loving reminder of how special they have been in your life.