The Secret

The job has gotten in the way of my sewing lately. But here's a fascinating Oprah book review for ya....
I'm a sales rep for an internet advertising company. I've been a "hunter" sales rep for the last 4 years and I've read the gamut of sales books and self-helps. Last Friday afternoon, I'm sitting in our cramped depressing office cold-calling the yellow pages when a faxed contract comes in for $18,000 mo for another crazy rep in our office. That amount isn't unheard of in this business but it's WAY out of the ordinary. Our quota is $5,000 monthly total. She calls me "Hey, did I get a fax?" Uhh, yep. How in the hell did you do this girl??? "How much is it?" Oh...just $18Gs! "Aw man, it was supposed to be $25000." Me: HOW did you do it???!!! She's says, "You're going to think this is weird girl. It's that book...."The Secret" Me: Come on....how'd you do it really? Her: "Just read it girl. It's freaky and all about the universe and thoughts...it's really weird but it works." Let's just say, I read it that weekend and last week I exceeded quota in 5 days. I didn't sell one $18,000 deal but I made quota in one week and I'm usually busting it the last days of the month. It worked again today....maybe it's just my more positive thinking or could it be.....the seeeecret......shhhh!

Then for Mother's Day...I got the dvd. I made the family watch it since we have one tv so too bad it's my day and I'm watching it. 10 minutes into it my daughter says, "Mommy, it's not working. I'm thinking I want it to be over and it's not ending!" The next evening we're doing our mom walks around the block while she skates on her Razor...."Oh Mommy, The Secret WORKS! It really does! At school I was thinking "I want to pass my spelling and math tests and thinking in my mind that I passed them and I did! And then, and then....I wanted to do "color poetry" and my teacher has never let us do it and I thought about it and we did it! Then we had tamales for lunch and I wanted tamales!"

But I'm NOT going to sell the SECRET start a website nor do i want any "free articles by the Secret teachers" And my child will still get math tutoring this summer!

Houston Art Car Parade & my 100th Post!

Houston invented the art car Did George Clinton invent funk? Why yes I would say so!

Ahhh! A quilted truck! Tennis balls...and there were also condiment and condom-covered rides. How i feel during rush hour:

Political statements about fruits and presidents...Can a car be OVER-embellished? You really need to click on this one to experience the embellitude!

Singing fish and lobsters.

I wish I could post the other 273 cars!

Beach Day and Mandala

I finally painted my mandala. It's the first creation from "The Artist's Muse" book and Yahoo group.

We took our daughter and her girlfriend to Crystal Beach at High Island, TX. It's the beach I grew up hanging out at during my wild adolescences near Winnie, Tx. It's a very "country beach" vs. Galveston, the "city beach". So as Jim and the girls trapped over 35 hermit crabs and jumped in the surf, I worked on my Mandala using water soluble oil pastels and gulf coast seawater. Before I can post it, I want to stitch it.

I'm just not going to stress about getting the mandala finished because my mandala is about serenity and peace in a chaotic world. When I look at my mandala I want only beach, seawater and tranquility karma coming from it.

Go Girl Bag by Terri

I bought this beautifully crafted Go Girl Bag from Terri at StegArt the day she posted that it was finished. Terri's bags are featured in this month's Belle Amoire's "Haute Bags" and they're stitched perfectly with her signature girl drawings which you can also buy separately from Joggles (if you're so inclined to make your own bag!)
It's so roomy and has three side pockets, a zippered compartment and a magnetic closure.

I wasn't planning on posting the altered book that I'm working on for a swap with Emmy from Cramzy . But if I don't post this project in progress....well I will have to continue buying art to post and I don't have the budget left for that.

So, what the hey...

I knew I'd need these Kleenex's soaked with the exploded HP Ink Jet cartridge from my desk for something one day. Here they are ModPodged to the pages of the altered book.

I'm loving this project because I have no fear. If I mess up, I can either rip that sucker out or collage over it! Here's another peak at a fearless page in progress:

This is plastic wrap stuffed with fibers, crayola pieces and shredded sheet music that heated then 0006 glued to the page. This book will have several textured experiments included and is a constantly evolving piece of work.

Purple Missus' Postfolio and Wild Woman Pin!!!

Words cannot describe my reaction when after a long day and night at work tonight, I opened this:

Lynda from Purple Missus really has delighted the April (and me the March late joiner) FAF birthday ladies with these postcard-sized padfolios! And since I'm so wild: I'm totally going to wear this on my sales calls. She sent me the PURPLE one....YES! Thank you SO much Lynda! I'm extremely in LOVE them!!

SueB's Padfolios are a bit of a worldwide phenomenon. Go make one!

OK. I'm really going to practice improving my postcard-making. All of these gifts have just amazed and inspired me. sniff sniff

Thinkin' Blogs and Altering Books instead of Reading Em!

Sue B nominated me for this thinking blogger meme and I'm very proud she picked me. Sue 's been a consistent art-thinking blogger with innovative techniques, online classes and tutorials. Why just this afternoon as I was fusing Misti fuse (which she taught me) I was thinking, "Sue Bleiweiss has totally transformed my mixed media life!"

I tend to just do without thinking more than anything. I'm no precise stitcher. But I do like to try new techniques because tomorrow isn't promised. Carpe Diem !

Now, I am to tag 5 bloggers that make me think! Tough challenge with So many to chose from. Here they go in no particular order of "thinkingness":

Not a walking Encyclopedia - (but i think she is)
Candy really makes me think. I often have to research her political topics so I don't sound like a complete hillbilly moron when I comment. I like to find sore spots in her blog to fight with my conservative husband about! : ) Candy is a passionate quilter but she's also a highly intelligent, prolific writer who brings to the forefront serious social and political issues and is often my only news channel. I couldn't sleep last night because the freaking bees are all DYEING and it's our CELL phones causing the death of everything! This is SERIOUS ya'll! I turned my apocalyptic phone off this morning because I want to LIVE! Let's do something about it! Fiber Art For BEES! Turn off the dang TV Jim! And Oh MG, Candy is also a gourmet chef/foodie and offers deliciouso recipes!

Fembellish: N Rene West has an embellishing blog that makes you feel like you're hanging at her house and you're just gonna sit down and eat a scrumptious cinnamon scone. Then she's going to crank up one of her 50 top-o-the line sewing machines and clearly show you step-by-step how easy it is to make a professionally embellished piece of fiber art! Hoffman Challenge? Hah! No problem! She's there to help you out and you are about to see things that normally you would need your credit card for. Her blog is chock full of the most gorgeous, generous, helpful tutorials and she updates very frequently. I totally subscribe.

The Fabric of Meditation : Sara's work touches me. Spiritual, emotional, beautiful pieces with ethereal images. I love everything she does. See her Carpe Diem Embellished Angels! If you ever see something in her Etsy, just clickit darnit! Her work is one of a kind and I believe all of her pieces have special healing powers. I must own something she's made!

Fiber Art: If I create it will they come? Hell yes they will! I met Micki in a Quilt U class several months ago. Since then, I've reviewed her blog from beginning to end. This is one blog that I can say, I have not missed a post! Micki has experimented with everything and she is not done yet! She shares her successes and even near-success. She's clear and tells it like it is. I really wish Micki would teach classes.

I have questions : This is a friend of mine here in Houston and I hope she doesn't get mad at me for publishing her because she's a bit private about her blog. But it's a Blog Natalie! It's on the Internet and Al Gore meant for these topics to be for all of mankind. I Have Questions is the ongoing memoirs of a single Houston mom who loves life, music, her kids most of all , and even her stupid ex. She raises questions and even makes old married quilting-types like me think. Natalie is an excellent, humorous writer who paints word pictures and makes me laugh hysterically even though it really should not be funny. Natalie is destined to write books.

Whew! Now that that's done, here's my Altered Book in Progress! My kitties are in the background for the pretty element. This book is going to be fabulous! Secret ATC drawers, a nitch full of Seamrippstress fabric extravaganzas, just very very cool. It will be sent to the Netherlands in a few weeks to a talented fiber artist in FAF. Take a good look because the next time you see it, it will be a day before I mail it overseas! This project is SO much fun and my first finished Altered book. I found this wonderful site for images, ephemera, vintage and incredible paper/fabric swaps: Art-e-zine

Uhhh Oh? Is that a library book????

Mail Motherload!

Ready for this week's over-the-top mail? I'll have to keep words short since I really need to be working on job things....like sleep.

So let's start with this stunning postcard from the whimsically talented Diane (FaeryDi's Feats or Fiascos). It is so dang beautiful that when I opened it, it made me queasy wishing I had made it. Simply amazing....thank you FaeryDi!!!

And can someone please explain to me: What's the deal with the Aussies? Is it the water they drink or the art Karma spewing on them from the Great Barrier Reef? Why is there such a large concentration of extremely talented fiber artists in Australia?

Moving along, I was perusing blogs instead of sleeping when I saw where SueB had one of her silk fusion padfolio's for sale! Wah? That's when my Automatic BUYNOW Click Reflex took over before anyone else snagged it!

and inside she included a handmade bookmark:
Sue's off-the-hook talented! Thanks Sue!

And this postcard by Joanna just mesmerizes me. I bought it from the Ebay Earth Day auction since I had admired it on Joanna's Serenity is Bliss blog. Just look at those perfect mitered corners on the boxes. How'd she do that?

And finally, what I'm reading: "The Artist's Muse" arrived yesterday and I've joined a very active Yahoo group where we're unlocking our creative doors together. I'll share my nuggets as they manifest!

New Postcard Creations!

I'm wicked proud of this weekend's postcard making. My friend Mary's birthday was Monday so better late then never, I'm giving her this tomorrow at our Doll Club playgroup. The Wild Woman Brooch Idea is from Purple Missus! Lynda picked up the idea from Sarah Lawrence of Crafty Notions . I knew when I saw wild women on Lynda's blog that I HAD to make one for Mary. Click the pic for an "in your face" view : )

This is a Post Card for a special FAF April Birthday Girl that I made tonight from the wild flower fabric I fused, painted, layered, burned and stitched.

I'll make a few more from this loud fun flower power fabric. I've finished my postcards for April and just need to get them into the mail!

Without the wild woman pin. You can see my first attempts at the "garlic" freemotioning. (The happy loopies growing off of each other)

Delicious Fiber Art Cards Galore!

I 've been showered with fiber love again! ...don't be hatin'

Lookie what I got this week!

This postcard from Mags! arrived early in the week and was the dose of gorgeous that I needed to get through the week! Gotta retake this pic with natural light once the weekend arrives. The Ott lighting doesn't do these ethereal graphic images justice. She's embroidered "Happy Birthday" on the piece as well. I'm dying to learn how to do this! It's shimery and wonderful! Thank you so much Mags!

and there's more....Yesterday, when I returned from work, Jim came up with something behind his back . "I have something that will make you happy!" This beautiful, delicate, beaded masterpiece from Helen! I read on her blog, that she learned this technique from Sue Brittingham Quilt University!. It's a neatly krinkled cotton, stitched with varigated metallic and a hand-dyed silk flower with beaded center. "Goodie!" Thank you Helen!
And today! This awesome 3-d flower card from Kim!This is Chloe's favorite

What an awesome idea! Thank you Kim. This card is so unique and vibrant!

I just love this FAF Postcard swap! Especially since I just so happened to sign up during the month of my birthday and these works of art from fiber friends from all over the world just thrill me! I'm getting a bit, (ok no other word to use) intimidated by the craftmanship and design of these cards I've received. They're the easiest project I've ever made yet, not really after I've seen these art pieces.

Carmen's Knitted Gift

My darling sister sent me this hand knitted, felted and crocheted bag for my birthday! I just love the colors and the design she chose. She's recently picked up knitting after years of crocheted blankets. She's created a series of beautiful "filet" designs for our home over the years (and I don't mean filet gumbo).

The colors on her new bag are so me and I'm truly impressed that she crafted such a complicated bag!Fiber runs in our family. Even our mom started quilting this year now that she's inherited (by writing me a check) my Brother NX400.

Check out the backside! I just love the design!

Thank you Carmen. I absolutely love it!

Chloe's Wrapped Doll

My daughter wanted to make her daddy a doll for his birthday tomorrow. She kept asking for a wooden ball for the head but all I could find was a styrofoam ball. She wrapped the head in yarn, attached the face charm with pins and stuck a stick from the yard into the head. She wound yarn around the stick and pinned the hair. I helped her attach the hands and feet. She is very proud of her wrapped doll and I think it should be in an art museum. Won't daddy be surprised!

Almost met my Funky Postcard Quota

I've converted some of my past experiments into postcards.

Hey, I'm all about recycling and "Working smarter not harder"

Here's a nuno felted pelt on cheesecloth from way back in January that I've reinvented into a fabric postcard. The added beadwork idea is one I totally lifted from SuZ's incredible flower card last week. Beading takes me a looong time but doesn't it add that extra Umphh and twinkle!
I swear this card really is square. No really! But the dang thing is warped after my wonky satin stitchting and doesn't lie flat for picture day. Maybe if I sandwiched within a big book for a couple days?

And this happy little card has been selected (and begged for) as a special gift for the Easter Bunny himself, along with brownies, iced tea, and an originial E Bunny portrait all gift-wrapped in a Texas Tamale drawstring sack. (BTW: Mr. E Bunny is also an adhoc member of Fiber Art Friends).

This card was made from my recent past layering fabric experiments. I especially like this one below since it includes my painted lavender velvet. The "beads" on these are not beads at all but drips of bead-like paint.Mr E Bunny on a good day. Check out those UPS driver calves!
In her 7th year, our child is dedicated to giving back to the Easter Bunny, to Santa and to the extravagantly generous Toothfairy for all of their dedicated years of selfless giving to her. "They've given so much and have asked so little of me" she says dramatically tonight. Every holiday is now a full day of creations, gift wrapping and special presentations to these wondeful characters. That bunny mobile better make it happen through our unseasonably frigid flooded weekend.

Happy Easter Dolls!

Postcard from SuZ!

Wow! I must be psychic because I felt a stirring in my stomach on my way to the mailbox today. "There's something very cool in there for you Elaine!" What a gorgeous postcard from SuZ. I've admired her painted fabric work on her blog. I almost wish this was a handbag swap - Just go see her magnificent totes and little stitched bags! Thanks SuZ!

Freemotion Couching Foot

I finally broke out the Bernina Freemotion Couching foot. It came with a little hook that I attached to the thread cutter and a long wire threader to run whatever cord I want to couch. I just plugged it all in, stepped on the foot petal and it worked like a charm! Now I can couch cords into looptie loops and I'm finding all kinds of things that need couching around here!

I've been tackling orange flower petals for the FAF flower swap and things just are NOT working out! Tonight I was having trouble moving the hooped Solvy topped with basted pedals under the dropped feed dogs. I thought I'd slip my handy dandy $20 Freemotion Slider (aka a piece of plastic with a hole in it) to help me with the movement. I immediately sewed that sucker to my pedals. Drats! They don't call me Seamrippstress for nuthin!

I've had more technical problems and physical injuries with this project! My FAF's may end up with felted flowers!

Beautiful Postcard From Micki!

Yaay! This beautiful card finally arrived from Micki! I've been worried about it making it here. I don't know what the material is she used for the center buy I'm dying to find out. And it's GREEN like I like it! Thank you Micki, it is wonderfully made! I have renewed faith in our postal service and I take back what I said about our mailperson. Click on pic for a closer view! I'm working on multiple postcards for the swaps I'm in with Fiber Art Friends and also making flower petals for an April swap. Here are some of my embellishing projects in progress:

Postcard from SueB!

A Birthday Postcard from the world famous SueB!Thank you Sue! This one is silk fusion base with dabs of silk covered with clear plastic! My child thinks it will make a neato Barbie Twister game! Love it!

An ArtCard made my me

My first postcard!I mailed it yesterday but it took me 20 minutes to gather the nerve to release it into the blackhole of the mailbox. I didn't have the Kahoonas to send it "naked" like you artists gone wild I hear about. It's on its way to an extremely talented someone who shall remain anonymous until received since I don't think I'm supposed to post it until he or she receives it. Shhh! **Update: She got it! My first postcard went to SuZ W!!

I embellished wool and dyed silk onto painted lutradur during my experiments with the new embellisher foot. Then I laid it over a turquoise cotton and freemotioned everything down. You can't tell from the pic but I used pretty metallic threads on the petals. My satin stitching is getting better but I see where I need to invest in thousands of dollars worth of thread. I'm going to print a photo of all my threads to take along to my next thread shopping excursion.

I plan to make my next series of postcards using the techniques I'm learning from Fembellish Journal Gilded Garden Tutorial. If you haven't seen N.Rene West's blog, she offers a wealth of techniques explained step-by-step and her talent will blow you away. I've learned more about my Bernina 440 and it's accessories from her site than from my dealer or the manual. Each entry is daily eye-candy fabric therapy!

Remembering Our Weston on his 4th Birthday

This is a tougher post than I thought it would be. Every year on this day, I think maybe it will be easier but it never is. In fact, I think it's even harder as time passes since I'm the one who knows when his birthday is coming. This year I waited until this morning to alert my husband and child of the day and prepare for our annual release of the balloons for what would be our deceased son's 4th birthday. I know it's so hard for people because they just don't know what to say. I don't know the right thing to say to someone suffering grief after the loss of a loved one and you would think I'd be qualified. Sometimes I worry that maybe I should be further along in the whole damned grief process.

During the first couple of years after his death, when I was asked about my children, I'd tell them one living daughter and that we lost our son. Talk about make them uncomfortable and avoid me like the plague afterwards! Now I find myself saying, "We have one daughter, that's it just one daughter."

Today's birthday balloons with our love notes written and sent to Weston.

We're still a family and I have so much to be so grateful for! A precious daughter, a loving husband of 16 years and good friends who I might have never known. I think it's ironic that I read about so many fiber artists who started quilting after the birth of their child. I started sewing after the death of mine. As obsessed as I am about quilting, dollmaking and all things fabrilicious, it truly gets me through each day.