Saturday, August 30, 2008

Etsy Update



New in my Etsy shop is a series of collages celebrating the graduates of the class of 1927. Each girl's original class picture is surrounded by elements representing what may have been among her life's choices. Did she work in an office, visit faraway lands, follow her passion for music or theater or raise children and take them to the picture shows? I welcome you to visit my shop and join me in celebrating the lives of Dorothy, Catherine and Vera, Class of '27.



© Nancy Lefko

Friday, August 29, 2008

Illustration Friday ~ Memories



She was lost in her MEMORIES and could not find her way back.

My submission for Illustration Friday was published in the ZNE book, "Never Forgotten."

© Nancy Lefko

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Lake Art Demo

On Saturday I'm demonstrating how the lake quilts in my series of the goal to 100 are created. I'll be at Good Good's gallery in Saugatuck, Michigan from noon until 5:00 with all my scraps, yarns, netting, and sewing machine.
I stopped in the gallery this afternoon to see how the hanging of my pieces is going. A lot of them are up.
Included in this show that will be hanging through September are some of my "regular" quilts. I love how "Regeneration" is paired with this particular Sticks chair and ottoman.
To read complete details about my being Good Good's featured artist go here.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

A New Treasury



My sincere thanks to Jodi of Sweet Repeats (aka lucysweetlucy) for including my "haunted" collage in her spooky treasury at Etsy. To be included among artists I respect is a great honor.

Be sure to visit Jodi's blog where you will be delighted by her amazing mixed media artwork.

Thanks Jodi!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Goodies in the Mail



These scrumptious goodies arrived in the mail today. With the beautiful painted and hand lettered address label, I knew before even glancing at the return address that the package had come from an artist!

I was lucky enough to win a giveaway from Aimee at Artsyville and my prizes arrived to absolutely make my day.

I was gifted with a collection of fun retro stickers, four fabulous glass bubble magnets featuring images from a 1920's newspaper (how cool is that?) and a decorative journal. Thank you SO much Aimee!

I run out of superlatives trying to express my gratitude for friends I have met through the art-blogging community. I may never meet these fine people face to face, but they brighten my day in countless ways regardless. Aimee is indeed one of these fine folks.

Do yourself a favor and visit her delightful blog. It will brighten YOUR day too.


Sewing with Grandsons

His brother, Jackson, had created a sleeping bag for one of his stuffed animals so Jennings had to have a sewing project, too. He had lain claim to his uncle's childhood "Gizmo" (it's difficult for me to throw anything away) and decided to make a quilt for him.
One side is pieced 8" blocks and the other represents a German flag. It was up to him to figure out how many blocks were needed and then to choose twelve fabrics for the quilt. I cut them out and he designed the quilt and pinned ...
and sewed them all together on the Pfaff 360. This machine is set up on a low side table in my studio exclusively for children to operate.
The quilting was done on the much newer Pfaff Creative 7530. Jennings found it easier to control the quilt by standing rather than sitting at this machine.
His cousin, Winston, didn't have a project in mind but he really wanted to sew and was most willing to help me out on another project. I have a stack of blocks that need binding for Caron's "and still counting" project.
Winston bound several blocks including one he had stitched Colonial knots onto last summer.
I sure wish he, or someone else, would stick around long enough to bind them all so they could be mailed off to Caron. I like the stitching knots in a spiral pattern on the blocks, but not the binding part.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Studio Time



I was able to grab a few, nearly uninterrupted, hours in my studio today. The result being five new Halloween collages which are available in my Etsy shop. I have my Esty forum ATC swap to thank for getting me into the "Halloween groove" so early. I am usually rushing at the beginning of October to list Halloween inspired artwork.

Thanks, gals!

© Nancy Lefko

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Finished Work


As promised, here are the finished pieces that were begun as part of the Inspire Me Thursday Challenge. I did not keep track of how long each piece took to finally complete, I just enjoyed the process.

I have decided to list them in my Ebay shop. (I wouldn't be at all surprised if by week's end they are in my Etsy shop .) Last year my Halloween pieces sold very well on Ebay, so we'll see what happens.

The first piece is an ACEO and the second was made on an old 6x9 book cover.



© Nancy Lefko

Friday, August 22, 2008

Illustration Friday ~ Routine



Ahhh, summer.

As it draws to a close, we anticipate the ROUTINE that the school year brings.

With apologies, my post for this week's Illustration Friday is pulled from deep in the archives. It has been one of those crazy weeks...far from ROUTINE...with not much time for art.

© Nancy Lefko

Arty Girlz Challenge ~ Add Shapes to Your Creation



In response to the Arty Girlz Challenge this week I have created an ATC collage celebrating summer. It is so hard to believe that summer is coming to a close. Wouldn't it be grand to, just once, have an ENDLESS SUMMER.

This ATC is available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Inspire Me Thursday ~ Create Against the Clock


The challenge this week at Inspire Me Thursday is to gather supplies and create for 10 minutes. When time is up, gather the same materials and create for one hour. The above work in progress is all that I could accomplish in 10 minutes. It's amazing how fast that time flew by!

The work in progress pictured below is what I could accomplish in the span of an hour. Neither collage is complete, but as you can see I did get a little further.


This exercise made clear to me just how much time it takes to bring a piece from idea to finished collage. Even one hour is not nearly enough time.

I will be sure to post both collages in their finished stage.

© Nancy Lefko

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Illustration Friday ~ Detach



Gladys and Jean were best friends forever. That one could DETACH from the other was unthinkable.

This collage, celebrating friendship, is available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Inspire Me Thursday ~ Opposites



This collage, part of an altered book, is my submission for Inspire Me Thursday's prompt OPPOSITES.

"Young or old...love is love."

© Nancy Lefko

Thursday, August 14, 2008

A Big Thank U


A special thank you to the very talented Kathy Hare for this adorable award. When an artist as talented as Kathy finds enjoyment in visiting my blog, I am deeply flattered. And to be named along with other artists whom I admire is a thrill for me as well.

The rules of acceptance are as follows:

1. Choose 7 of your favorite blogs to nominate and link back to them.
2. Link to the person from whom you received the award.
3. Leave a message on the blogs that you've nominated.

Simple, huh? Yes, all but choosing JUST 7 blogs...that's like walking into a candy store and choosing JUST 7 pieces of candy. But you know me...the rule follower...so here goes.

Here are 7 of the many blogs I heart:

Pam Carriker
Alisa Nordholt-Dean
Fannie Narte
Lisa Rivas
Kathy
Valerie Walsh
Elizabeth Parsons

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Arty Girlz Challenge ~ No Patterned Paper



For this week's Arty Girlz challenge, I created an ATC with a Halloween theme without using any store-bought patterned paper. I created my own patterned background with paint, ink and copies of vintage paper.

An Etsy forum group I visit has decided on an ATC swap around the Halloween/Fall theme, so I have been busy making a number of ATC's. This is an extra which I will add to my Etsy shop. I thought I'd run it up the Etsy flagpole and see if it gets any interest. If it does, then I may create more for sale along the same theme.

© Nancy Lefko

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Thanks, Arty Girlz



My sincere thanks to Crissi and Julie of the Arty Girlz Challenge Blog for including my collage in the sampler of last week's art.

Now it's time to get going on the next challenge !!

Monday, August 11, 2008

Fun Sewing With Tessa

Tessa's 7th birthday present from me was an antique doll bed AND the fun of our "dressing it" together. Five days later it was finished.
The mattress and pillows were made before it was given to her. She and I took a trip to the fabric store to select the fabrics and trims. All the choices were made by Tessa with a bit of input in the the form of questions from me. She had not realized there were so many different pinks and that the one she liked best has a bit of orange in it.
She chose coordinating flannel prints for the sheets and pillow cases. They were made first so she could put her doll to bed the first night. It was too warm for a top sheet and quilt anyway. In the photo above Tessa is arranging the 5" cut blocks for the quilt.
Tessa sewed most of the seams on all the bedding while I stitched a few complex ones. However, most of the long seams and quilting lines were stitched by both of us. The chair was deep enough for the two of us to sit in while I guided the fabric and she operated the levers and foot pedal.
The backing of the quilt is "Minki" fabric. Because it is thick and has a bit of loft there is no batting inside the quilt.

Needles to say, Tessa is pleased with the resulting present and her accomplishments ... especially that she got to operate the sewing machine all by herself (even threading the machine with no help). I'm pleased that she was willing and capable and persisted to the conclusion of this beautifully dressed bed. It's fun sewing with Tessa.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Inspire Me Thursday ~ Wardrobe




This collage, my submission for Inspire Me Thursday's prompt WARDROBE, was made in honor of Carrie Bradshaw...who taught me everything I ever needed to know about fine footwear.

© Nancy Lefko

Friday, August 8, 2008

Illustration Friday ~ Sail



Velma set SAIL on the bubbly...completely enjoying the ride.

This collage is available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Still Inspired



This evening I have listed another seaside inspired collage in my Etsy shop. I am enjoying this theme and hope you are as well.

With rain every day this week, it is fun to be reminded of the joy we found at the ocean last week.

© Nancy Lefko

Thank You, Daisy



My thanks go out to fellow blogger Daisy of Distinctly Daisy.

She has chosen me as her first "Daisy Diamond" and featured my blog on her site.

I value the support and encouragement there is in the art blogging world...many thanks to you, Daisy.

Pay It Forward Art Gift

This PIF art gift is in its new home in Italy.
"Hot Stuff" - 16"x16" (2008)
Linda Teodo who's a big fan of my shoe quilt, "Imelda's Dream" is the recipient. When I created this small quilt for the Smoky Mountain Quilt guild's "hot stuff" challenge this spring I used the same patterns for the shoes and boxes in that huge quilt. While I was making this one thoughts of Linda kept popping into my mind ... I knew it was destined for her. To read about its contruction, go here.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Beach as Inspiration for Arty Girlz Challenge~Vintage



I returned from our vacation with so many images running though my head. I was so happy to find time in my studio this week to put those thoughts on canvas.

This piece was inspired by our week at the beach and vintage sand pails. I love those old pails with their vibrant colors mingled with years of rust.

This is my first entry in the Arty Girlz Challenge and I can't think of a more perfect topic for me !!

This collage is currently available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Illustration Friday ~ Poof!



No sooner did I leave on vacation than...POOF! I'm back!

...and I already miss the salt breeze and the sound of the waves...

© Nancy Lefko

(visit my previous post for scenes from the coast of Maine)

** this is also my submission for SUMMER at Monday Artday**

I'm Back...

It was a glorious week at the beach...Kennebunkport, Maine...one of my favorite places on Earth.




We spend our days on Goose Rocks Beach where gentle waves lap at the shore and our three boys take in all the ocean has to offer.




This year the tide pools were a sanctuary of hermit crabs, snails, green crabs, clams, sea urchins and baby lobsters...more than enough to intrigue my youngest, the scientist in the group.



We walk into town from our Inn each evening and enjoy the best seafood and wander through quaint shops.





As the saying goes...

"Maine...the way life should be."

photos © Rich Lefko