A Day In The Country...

One of my favorite sayings is
"A day in the country is worth a month in town."

Look closely. What do you see?
You might be surprised.
You'll find it's all a matter of perspective.

Now, from a little further away.
Just look at this beautiful tree.
I received this in the mail yesterday from
Australian needle artist, Margaret Lewis.

Here is the full image.
It's my latest Artist Trading Card.
All this detail on a 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" fabric surface!
Margaret explained to me that she used a paint-on-fabric
technique, and then she stitched the tiny, beautiful tree over the paint.
Reminiscent of her Australian countryside.

Margaret told me that she's interested in trading ATCs with
other Americans, so if you think you'd be interested in trading
with her, please let me know in your comment, and I'll get your
information to forward to her.
Wouldn't you love to receive a card from her?

Really, friends. I can't tell you how much I enjoy
all the cards I've received from my ATC trades.
Tiny artworks, lovingly created and shared.

Thank you, dear Margaret. I love this card
and will proudly add it to my collection.

OH!!! The fabric arrived in the mail late yesterday.
Guess what I'll be sewing today?
Yup...that baby bonnet for Liam!
Photos soon.

Mirror, Mirror...

Ohhhhh, this gal was busy yesterday.
I took down everything that had been on the walls in my studio.
There was nail pulling, spackling in abundance
and painting hither and yon.
Now, I'm ready to start the redecorating!

This is a peek at another element for my studio.
Don't you love the vines and animals?
I've had this beauty in the back of a closet for years,
saving it for just the right place in our home.

I'm so anxious to show you my studio makeover,
but there's still much to do
and
Where Bloggers Create II
isn't until June 19th.
Guess we'll all just have to wait. (sigh)
Are you getting curious yet?

Hello, Sleepy Head...

Now, I lay me down to sleep...

Oh, gosh. Isn't this just the sweetest little sleeping squirrel?
Michelle Palmer created this image for me as
part of the series I commissioned from her.
I asked for this one, specifically, and
love her interpretation of my request.
I'm so in awe of her artistic talent. Isn't she wonderful?

These acorns were also part of my set.
Yesterday, I created something new to coordinate with the item I
made over the weekend. You remember? The one I teased you with.
I won't be so cruel today...I'll show you what this is.

I made a cover for Miss Ellie!
(For those of you who don't know, Miss Ellie is
my nickname for my Babylock Ellisimo sewing machine)

I think the sleeping squirrel is perfect.
When Miss Ellie is sleeping,
this cover will keep her clean and dust-free.

No more peeks for now...
but I promise you'll get a good look at everything
when I debut my studio makeover on June 19th!