Collage Play with Crowabout #50 ~ A Celebration

This is a very special week at Collage Play with Crowabout. It is Week #50 and worthy of a celebration! Nancy B.of Crowabout has outdone herself offering three fabulous sheets for collage play. "Players" may submit up to three collages and in doing so be eligible for an awesome prize...a "seat" in Nancy's upcoming workshop. Well, say no more...I set to work...or shall I say "play."


The hardest collage to come up with was the third and for a while I thought perhaps I was stumped. And so I sat with the collage elements for a bit and slowly found a line from a song by "Stealer's Wheel," repeating in my head.

"Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right..."

Everything came together in the collage pictured below.


Special thanks to Nancy B. for the world of fun she offers up every week.

Collages available in my Etsy shop. **the great circus and beautiful dreamer SOLD**

song lyric © Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan
collages © Nancy Lefko

Loving My Juki

I'm loving this machine! The quilting is going fast and there's little disruption with just a few breaking threads. This is taking a bit of getting used to after not being able to stitch more than an inch or two without that happening on the Brother. One little "buggaboo" on this wonderful machine is the automatic needle threader. I'm not finding that part easy to operate. I finally dug up one of those little silver wire needle threaders to speed getting the thread through needle along.

As much as I like this new machine, I had liked the Brother. It worked well up until it started punching loops of top thread to the back and then shredding it. I had it professionally cleaned, oiled, and greased. There was a minor improvement. On the recommendation of quilting friends (in particular, Loretta Painter), I ordered this one. The Brother will be taken to the dealer it was purchased from when I get back to Tennessee to see if the problem can be fixed. I don't know what I'll do with it then. In less than a day I'm spoiled by the Juki.

Flower Centers

A week ago I ordered a new machine, Juki TL-98Q, since my other workhorse of a machine, Brother 1500, refused to stitch properly ... even after being serviced. It arrived this morning and was immediately put to service sewing the centers into flowers.
I'd like to share the method I've devised to make the centers for the Cone Flowers. The materials I use are on the right side of the photo below. There's wool roving, trimming from woven wool fabrics, and yarn. Bits of all those are pulled and cut apart for one flower center on the left side of the photo.
I spritz a few drops of water on that bit of "stuff" in my hand.
Then it's rolled around between my palms to mat it into a ball shape. If I don't care for what I see it gets pulled apart and rerolled.
The ball of fibers is laid in place. There's a bit of shaping and stuffing and maybe rearranging done til it looks "right".
A piece of tulle netting is pinned over the ball of fibers to contain them in the desired shape. The excess is trimmed away after the stitching on the center is finished.
Here you can see some already sewn and some waiting their turn.
This is a finished panel of the Prairie Flower installation piece with the just sewn centers in the Cone Flowers as well as the yellow Rosinweed flowers.
Now, to see how the Juki quilts the many lines of stitching with numerous different weight threads on the three panels that are pinned and have been waiting their turn.

Illustration Friday ~ CAUTION

This week at Illustration Friday the prompt is CAUTION and I tried to think of a link between that word and my saucy ladies...PMS seemed to be the link. I chuckled to myself when I thought of "Caution: Entering PMS Zone." I hope it makes you chuckle, too.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

I've Figured IT Out!

Finally, I figured out how to transition from the foreground realistic flowers to the abstract ones on the horizon of this field of flowers.
I've been fretting for some time about this ... studying what visually happens while looking at many patches of wild flowers on our recent trip to Colorado as well as surfing the net for photos to analyze. Last night furniture was moved to lay the vertical row for the center of the piece out on the floor.
Woo Hoo! It works. Now I feel on a roll to get on with this project.

This panel, the one second from the top, gave me the most concern in achieving a seamless transition into the horizon that was already finished.
That first layer of fabrics was softened and blended with wool and silk roving arranged over the hard lines.
Then I pulled threads and yarn as well as fabric ravelings from this supply ...
to create abstract flowers in that far off field.
Silk flower petals were snipped into gradated pieces and sprinkled into place.
Now, to get on with the other rows to create a whole field of prairie flowers.

I've Been Stalked

But in a good way.

Violet from Etsy Stalker has selected my 'call your mother' collage as an 'off to college' item. What fun!

Etsy Stalker is a wonderful site where you can view hand-picked Etsy treats. I always find it fun discovering new Etsy sellers and I don't always have the time. So it's great when a site like Etsy Stalker comes along and does all the leg work for you.

Thanks, Violet!

Forty-six Years Ago

... today I married this man.

Time flies when you're having fun!

Tomorrow is his 74th birthday. Elvis beat him to that age by seven months.

Mixed Media Monday ~ STARS

I have had this quote inside my head for quite a while now.

"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you'll land among the stars." ~ Les Brown.

When I saw that the prompt this week at Mixed Media Monday was STARS, I knew in an instant what my creation would be.

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

Art Journaling by Somerset Studio

The wait is over...the newest issue of Art Journaling by Somerset Studio has arrived with my article right smack dab in the middle. Four pages...wow! The issue is entirely gorgeous; the most beautiful journal pages imaginable, with my dear friend Pam Carriker contributing TWO fabulous articles.

At this time last year I had never even considered the idea of keeping an art journal and now it has become an integral part of my artistic life. Isn't it ironic that the first "solo" article I have published should be centered around art journaling. I am ever grateful to Pam for opening my eyes to this creative outlet...art for my own enjoyment...just for me.



© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ WRAPPED

For this week's Illustration Friday prompt, my very first thought was that of being WRAPPED up safely in someone's arms. And whose arms are safer than Mom's? My boys are growing up, too quickly for me, and only one still cuddles with me on a regular basis. And I know that those days are numbered. It will be among the things I miss most.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Collage Play with Crowabout #49

Collage Play with Crowabout is aptly named. This week Nancy B.of Crowabout provided another delicious collage sheet and yet I didn't immediately have an idea or direction for my collage. So with the elements printed in a variety of sizes I simply began to "play." I cut out and arranged the elements until I found a story to tell. What a wonderful way to while away the afternoon...in collage play.

Collage available in my Etsy shop. **SOLD**

© Nancy Lefko

SOLD!

"Come With Me to the Kasbah" has been displayed at Good Good's Gallery in Saugatuck, Michigan since last fall. Fifteen minutes after I had stopped in there to say "hi" to the staff this afternoon that piece sold. Woo Hoo! They think I brought good luck ... especially in this economy. Think I may stop in more often if that's the case.
To read about the creation of this piece go here.

Mixed Media Monday ~ BLUE & GREEN and "Mix it Up With Melange" Challenge ~ USE YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE

Busy as this summer has become, I find it necessary to be fastidious with time management...therefore I have created one piece of art to answer the calls of two challenges this week.

This mixed media piece is my response to the BLUE & GREEN prompt from Mixed Media Monday and the USE YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE IN YOUR ART prompt from Mix It Up with Melange. The quote reads, "Faith is the bird that sings when the dawn is still dark."

I encourage you to visit the challenge blogs and take part in the fun or at the very least look at all the wonderful art submitted by participants.

This collage is available in my Etsy shop.

**Note** I am honored that this piece was chosen as "Art of the Week" at Mixed Media Monday. Thank you, Gillian.

© Nancy Lefko

Thank You, Diana

Look at this beautiful blog award !! It was given to me by the ultra-talented, kind and generous artist Diana Evans. Diana has created this blog award for all of the bloggers whom she visits each morning with her cup of coffee. I have "known" Diana since the inception of my blog and she has always been there with a supportive word of praise and a happy comment. Her blog is a treat for the eyes and leaves me wondering where this amazing lady finds the time for all she does !! Diana also hosts the Daily Art Stop which is another fabulous blog to peruse.

Thank you, Diana, not only for the lovely award but for the magic you create.

Image © Diana Evans

Updated Workshop Promo Video

My Painted Fabric Collage Workshop is ongoing over at Creative Workshops. This "new and improved" promo video gives you a taste of what the workshop is all about. This workshop consists of three lessons with video and downloadable pdf lessons which can be printed to save. The workshop is open-ended and can be taken at one's own pace.

Come on over to Creative Workshops if you haven't already and see the wealth of classes available there.

WEEKEND SALE-Participating Melange Members

The Melange Team Members at Etsy are happy to announce our first team sale event. From August 7-9th we will be offering 15% off all shop purchases, excluding shipping. The refund will be made to your PayPal account upon notification of payment from the buyer. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? To see a list of participating members, visit my Etsy shop announcement.

Lovely Awards from Lovely People

One of the nicest things about "Blogland" are the kind people that you meet there. Most you will never meet in real life, but they are as supportive and encouraging as your best pal down the street.

The lovely awards above were given to me by the wonderful artist Indigene, who is always there with a kind word about my work. Thank you, Indigene.


My real life friend, Ginger Nielson, a truly gifted Children's Illustrator has given me the above award. Ginger has been one of my biggest cheerleaders since I entered back into the world of creating art and she is always there with advice, praise and encouragement. Thank you, Ginger.

This award also comes with a few rules to follow:

Each Superior Scribbler must, in turn, pass the award on to 5 most-deserving blog buddies.
Each Superior Scribbler must link to the person from whom he/she has received the award.
Each Superior Scribbler must display the award on his/her blog, and link to this post, which explains the award.
Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List at the Scholastic-Scribe's blog.
Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.
(I know, a lot of rules, but a cute award :)

I would love to pass along these awards to all my dear blog buddies, but in the interest of space I will list five artists that you'll be happy to visit.

Diana Evans
Elizabeth Parsons
Fannie Narte
Marsha Jorgensen
Lisa Griffin

Collage Play with Crowabout #48

This week's collage elements from Nancy B.of Crowabout, were once again filled with fun and inspiration. The retro images really appealed to me and I had lots of fun creating this kitchen scene for "mom." This piece was a bit different for me...pure collage...without the addition of mixed media. The images just seemed to call our for a crisp, clean presentation.

If you haven't yet visited the Collage Play with Crowabout blog, you really must do so. There is an abundance of inspiration and fun waiting for you there.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ IMPATIENCE

I wonder why was my first thought for the Illustration Friday prompt IMPATIENCE, was of a gal impatiently awaiting her cocktail? Has it been one of those weeks? Perhaps.

Collage available in my Etsy shop. **SOLD**

© Nancy Lefko

"Mix It Up with Melange" Challenge ~ ARCHETYPE and Inspire Me Thursday ~ POSITIVITY

This week's word prompt at the "Mix It Up with Melange" Challenge is ARCHETYPE...a "silver dollar word" as my 10 year old would say. I offer, in response, a simple silhouette and archetype of "bird."

This mixed media piece was also made as a response to the prompt for POSITIVITY from Inspire Me Thursday.

Please stop by these sites and join in on the challenges. It's great fun to see where inspiration takes you.

Available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Collage Play with Crowabout #47

This week's collage elements from Nancy B.of Crowabout, were once again filled with fun and inspiration. There seemed to be a feeling of "song and birds" in the group of images, so I decided to use them to introduce you to the singing sensation, "3 little songsters plus one."

If you haven't yet visited the Collage Play with Crowabout blog, you really must do so. There is an abundance of inspiration and fun waiting for you there.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Shadows and Relfections in the Rockies

The most obvious play of shadows and sunshine is on the trails.
The more subtle ones are of individual trees on the rocks and boulders.
I happened to look down before my husband and I began walking after looking at a view across Bear Lake to catch our shadows together.
And a few days later I caught our side-by-side shadows reflected in Lily Lake.
Looking across Bear Lake to see the reflection of the trees in the water.
A future post will explain those brown colored trees.

More trees reflected in a small puddle of rainwater caught in the dip of a boulder.
The hollow of a huge boulder cradled this puddle that reflects the sky.
My husband was standing on the other side of a much larger puddle along a hiking path that reflects a lot of sky.
Plus, there are a few dappled shadows from the trees shading the path.

Ahhh...the Beach

It was a wonderful week at the beach. We have vacationed in the same coastal town in Maine for the past thirteen years and it feels so much like home. We quickly fall into the relaxed mood that so often accompanies a seaside vacation...and doesn't it feel delicious! I am renewed and calmed by the sounds and smells of the ocean and delight in watching my boys play on the sand, and in the surf, as they have done all their lives. The memories we make on this beach vacation are ones we treasure and will always remember. This year my youngest was filled with questions about his early beach experiences. "What did I do here when I was a baby?" "Did I sleep all the time? Peter says I slept all the time." "Did I like the water?" In answering all of his questions I was reliving those early days and loving every memory he brought to mind.


At days' end I curled up on the bed in our Inn and spread my journaling supplies around me. I journaled about the experiences of that day and the feelings that were brought forth. What a wonderful souvenir of this vacation.

I already miss the sound of the waves.



© Nancy Lefko