Happy New Year!

As we embark on a new year – and a new decade – I want to send a hand-crafted message to all of you. Here's to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell to the old!

Other Artwork

Another major art installation at the New Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Illinois is a series of sculptures located on the floor just above "Prairie Performance" (which is installed on the Lake Level).
These fish are positioned on pedestals in a way that makes them appear to be swimming in the geothermal lake seen through the two-story windows.
They, too, are created from scraps ... scrap metal pieces and findings.

Oooops! I missed taking a close-up photo of the cat fish sculpture.
There's another wall at the end of the curved windows. It's at the other end of the dining area, opposite to the one on which "Prairie Performance" is hung. This major art piece is installed on that wall.
A sculpture made of two 14 foot canoes. They are constructed of paper and a bamboo-like wood.

I'm sorry I cannot provide the names or titles of these two major art pieces. Eventually, there will be brass plaques with titles and names of the artists placed near all the art. Also, there is a book being written about the art and artists of the commissioned work for the hospital.

I'll leave you with an oblique view of "Prairie Performance" taken by our son, Kemper. That center panel in the foreground is his favorite.
You can get a closer look by clicking on the photo to see those soft edges up close. The framing can even be spotted in one area. We tried looking for evidence of the hanging hardware, but it's well concealed.

New Article

The Winter 2010 issue of Art Journaling by Somerset Studio has hit the stands. I feel very fortunate to have been asked to write an article for this issue.


The article entitled, "Faux Paintings: A Beginner's Approach to Watercoloring," chronicles my enthusiasm since discovering watercolor pencils and the addition they have made to my art journaling experience.


I also write how the watercolor pencils are the perfect companion when traveling with your art journal. During our long road trip this past summer, it was a wonderful way to pass the time in the passenger seat.


I may be biased, but this issue is CHOCK full of beautiful pages and journals that are exquisite. My dear friend, Pam Carriker, also has an article that is sure to interest the beginner as well as the experienced art journaler. I encourage you to pick up a copy at your local bookstore.

Happy New Year!

© Nancy Lefko

Another Visit to "Prairie Performance"

The opening day of the New Sherman Hospital, December 15th, was a work and school day for the younger members of my family. Yesterday we all met there so they could see "Prairie Performance" hung on the wall.
Each of them lived through the creation of it at the cottage this summer ... watching it grow from week to week. The grandkids measured it for me.
That's three and half kids wide. Another measuring was close to three "Mrs. Durands" wide.
This piece is installed on the wall at the end of this dining area that looks out on the geothermal lake.
We had lunch in front of it.
I'm glad to have had the dining experience in the presence of my art ... to see it in the way many visitors to the hospital will view it.

PS: The press conference at the end of the Grand Opening Day was televised by Fox in the Chicago area with "Prairie Performance" as the backdrop.

Skipping on Polka dots to the New Year..

I'm quite excited about NY, I've gotten a new dress, and still need to do some more shopping for shoes and a clutch.. i suppose the "any excuse to shop" rule applies here..wouldn't you agree?

Another thing i'm VERY excited about.. my new bag courtesy of my parents as a late Graduation/ New job gift.. my very own Alma Vernis in Amarante =D (ps: Mum if you're reading this i LOVE you, and i also really like the Chanel 2.55 haha)






(Black Dress: F21, Blazer: Vintage, Knee highs: Debenhams, Bag: LV, Oxford Shoes: NewLook)

And here's one more thinge i'm really excited about..May 28th!!

Mixed Media/Collage Workshop IS BACK!

For those of you who missed it the first time, my Mixed Media/Collage Backgrounds Workshop is back at Creative Workshops commencing January 11, 2010.

This workshop is OPEN ENDED. You can join at any time and not miss a thing. Once you register you will have unlimited access to the instructions, video and teacher assistance and can take this course AT YOUR OWN PACE.

Why not while away those long, cold winter days immersed in a creative workshop experience. Hope to see you there.

Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right--Oprah Winfrey

My little sister told me off for not keeping my promise of updating the blog at least every 2 days.. My problem is she was the most devoted blog photographer in the world. and now that i've moved away i hardly ever get any photos of my outfits. I miss you Jona <3

I think one of my 2010 resolutions will be enslaving a friend to take outfit photos... i've got too many resolutions now, Have you made yours?..

For now i leave you with my sincerest wishes for health, wealth and happiness for this festive season ( with my all new business-y look :p)

Merry Christmas

Wishing a joyous holiday to ALL of you!
The head of our family is a jolly old elf who brings smiles and giggles into many people's lives all year long ... the best gift of all.

Smocked Finery

This is the last doll dress that I had smocked. That was over twenty years ago. I also designed and made the Battenburg lace collar for her silk dress.
Here are a few of my favorite dolls that live in a corner of our bedroom.
The very last doll added to my collection didn't get a new dress. However, one of my first quilts is her lap robe.

We Need a Little Christmas

At this busy time of year, both my art studio and my blog suffer from neglect. My attention is focused in readying my home for Christmas.


Tomorrow is the last day of school before vacation and thankfully I am finished with all the shopping and wrapping and decorating. Wednesday will be spent filling my home with the scents of cinnamon and sugar while the Christmas carols play in the background.


My Christmas wish is that all my friends, family and those who read this message are blessed with their heart's desire this Christmas and New Year.

Merry Christmas!

Tweedy Tweed..

I know i've been a terrible blogger, amongst many other things, but i have been so consumed with catching up with work that i hardly even have the time to take outfit pictures, which sucks cause i've been sporting some pretty chic new buys haha..
I'm making a pact with myself to not abandon my blog surfing for longer than 2 days at a time, which may mean a little bit of sneaking around the office.

What are you doing for new years?
i just booked my tickets to an Armani sponsored party here in Dubai, super excited, there will be fashion shows, Armani gifts and lots of fashionistas.. which of course means SHOPPING for the perfect NYE dress =D






(Cardigan and tank: F21, Tweed skirt: River Island , Boots stolen from my sister's wardrobe, Bag: Prada, Headband: Duaa Designs)

I Saw IT!!!!!

Finally, December 15th arrived! The day of the grand opening of the New Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Illinois. The day that I finally got to see "Prairie Performance" installed on the wall.
A number of friends and family members came to view it with me.
The day was unusually clear and bright. The sun is almost at its lowest point in the sky this time of year. Those elements combined to make strong shadows fall across the piece. I'm glad there are at least six applications of Krylon acrylic spray with UV ray protection in the mix.
The photo below was taken on a day with a cloud cover that is more typical for winter. My friend, Barbara Lardon, took it before the hospital opened when she delivered her art quilts that are now hanging in the birthing rooms.
Near the end of it's construction there was a constant nagging thought that I should arrive for my first viewing with a pocket full of pastels and request that a ladder be brought out so I could "fix it". Well, I didn't take any art supplies. In fact, it was a relief to realize in retrospect that the thought never even occurred to me.

I am pleased!!!!

New Publication

The newest edition of Somerset Studio Gallery has hit the shelves and I am pleased to share my artwork that was chosen for publication. "Glamour Girl" (below center) was submitted in response to a call for work created solely in black & white. I had received an email from the editor informing me that this piece would be in the magazine.


What I did not know was that six of my Halloween pieces, submitted for a call for Vintage Halloween art, were also going to be featured in the magazine. What a pleasant surprise!



It is truly a joy to be published in the beautiful magazines from Stampington and I feel very fortunate for the opportunity...an early Christmas present for me.

Images © Stampington, Inc.

Mixed Media Monday ~ JUST HANGING OUT

This week's challenge offered by Mixed Media Monday is JUST HANGING OUT. Topping the list of my favorite things to do, would be hanging out with my best friend over a cup of coffee. We can talk and laugh for hours on end; it's wonderful. That is the gift that I would wish for myself this Christmas season..."just hanging out" with my best friend.

I encourage you to visit the Mixed Media Monday blog and view the wonderful creations inspired by this prompt.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Smocked Doll Clothes

This is one of the books featuring smocked doll clothes that I wrote back in the 1980's. It's interesting to see it being sold fairly often in the secondary market on EBay.
The dress on the cover eventually was produced as a pattern for girls. It was called "Allison's Dress" and published by Little Miss Muffet.

I got into collecting dolls so I could smock their clothing, since I had no daughters. I made this cutie a smocked bishop style dress with embroidery decorating the front. The fabric is a woven silk gingham. Her bonnet is a folded silk handkerchief.

More Circle Smocking

I had smocked this ornament on crystalline fabric many years ago. It was mounted on a 3" plastic canvas disc and the center was raw edged. A couple of weeks ago I finished it as a gift for a young woman I've been making an ornament for every year since I met her.
The smocked fabric wraps around the outside edge. The same design smocked with metalic threads repeats on the other side. I needle wove spider webs to cover the raw edges where the fabric is gathered. A fine fuzzy yarn that sparkles is couched to the outside of the circle to reflect a halo of light.

Looking glass so shiny and new, how quickly the glamor fades..

My life has been so hectic the past two weeks i started out in a new job and have tons of catching up to do..plus events and conferences all this week..i've turned into a grandma who refuses to move after work and ends up asleep when most other people would stat partying.

Went out today and it's been a while since i haven't worn businessy clothes, gotta admit it was fun dressing up..








(Top: Splash runway collection, Tutu: H&M,, Boots: F21, Bag: Zara)

Love this last photo for some reason( some reason being the blurness of it)