FEBRUARY 2016 Day 29 Final Day of Month of Hearts

Hearts week 1

Hearts Week 2

Hearts Week 3

Hearts Week 4

Final Month's Hearts

 A whole month of hearts. Now on to something new!

Happy Leap Day to everyone. I read several articles this week that said today would be a super lucky day. I like the sound of that! May your day be filled with delightful and fun surprises, opportunities and experiences! Would love to hear of anything wonderful that comes your way today...leave a comment.

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 28 Into the Blue

Into the Blue

This week, a friend recounted some events she'd recently experienced and her response to those was a feeling of sadness. As she spoke, the sadness seemed to lift and her mood changed. After parting to get on with our days' activities, I felt a touch of lingering sadness. It was almost as if a tiny cloud had wrapped itself around me.  I wasn't sure what was contributing to it, other than it had been some kind of energy transfer. I allowed myself to feel my way through it and put this little felt together. "This too shall pass," it seemed to whisper to me as I sewed on the beads. And it did. That small sadness lifted, dissipated, and I was back up to speed. The only way out is through and it was ok to temporarily be "into the blue."

Into the Blue is made of needle and wet felted Corriedale and Merino silk with assorted stones and beads.

Tomorrow is the last day of the month long Heart Felt project. I'll be putting up collages of all the pieces I've done over the last four weeks.
Thank you for stopping by, having a peek and for leaving  kind comments! 

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 27 Bloomin Heart

Bloomin Heart

Got to see many lovely sunflowers during the painting challenge in January as Sheila Delgado presented her watercolor sunflower collection. Decided to do some 3-d versions and add silk throwsters and tiny glass beads as embellishments. Looking at the vases of flowers and close ups of individual blossoms with their delicate shading and subtle coloring, I had to play with the wool to create my own version of something flowery.

See Sheila's colorful and playful sunflower collection and find out more about her work HERE. 

Sunflower paintings by Sheila Delgado

Bloomin Heart is made of needle and wet felted Corriedale, silk throwsters and glass beads.

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 26 Keeper of the Heart

Keeper of the Heart

Chose to work 3-d today. Found this lovely vintage ceramic piece in a local opp shop and envisioned a pin cushion tucked inside. The natural medium shaded wool was the perfect color for a small bear, blues and greens for a tiny scarf to keep warm in winter, and red with green for the little heart he watches over.

Keeper of the Heart (4"x 4" x 9") is made of needle felted Corriedale, vintage ceramic piece and straight pins. 

Only a few more days of February Hearts. Now in search of a new theme for the long month of March...hmmmmm. Any ideas?

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 25 Inspired by a Dare

Inspired by a Dare

I really had fun with this piece. Orange is one of my favorite colors and during the big painting challenge I participated in for the month of January, I found the work of some painters whose irresistible color combinations practically made me swoon. How is it that color can have such a profound effect on us? Being exposed to particular colors can influence us in a number of ways. Restaurants and retail shops know this as they pay designers boatloads of money to help them select the very colors that entice us to eat more food and spend more money in their establishments. 

Inspired by a Dare is made of wet and needle felted Merino with cotton, gold thread and assorted beads. The combination of colors is borrowed from the glowing paintings of artist Laurie Mueller. See her work HERE .

Laurie Mueller's "Dare to be Different"

I found this painting of Laurie's on her blog as Day #24 of the Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. See her blog here.

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 24 Red Blossom

Red Blossom

Playing with the red and green combination, while avoiding the Christmasy look. Seeing those two colors together usually suggested something with a holiday theme. I love a red and purple combo (which sometimes suggests a touch of royalty), so challenged myself today to combine a new color trio.

Red Blossom (4.5" x 5") is made of wet and needle felted Corriedale with cotton and assorted beads.

What are some color combinations that you'd find challenging to combine?

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 23 Untitled

Untitled

Another piece using a two color palette. I've always like the combination of red with black and when keeping it in mind, it seems to show up in different places. Titles for pieces usually show up somewhere in the process, but this one didn't whisper its name to me.

 Untitled (2 1/4" x 3") is made of needle felted Corriedale.

FEBRURARY 2016 Day 22 Outside the Comfort Zone

Outside the Comfort Zone

 Watched a demo recently of someone using india ink on Yupo. With just black and white, she was able to create a wide range of textures and special effects. After that, I saw some black and white photography and chose to focus on making a piece using only black and white. With umpteen colors of wool at hand, I often want to squeeze in as many different colors as I can. Using a limited palette...stepping outside the comfort zone.

 Outside the Comfort Zone (2 1/4" x 3") is made of needle felted Corriedale.

 

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 21 Bulls Eye

Bulls Eye

I've been working a on special project and had gotten stuck the other day..the momentum had slowed and I was wanting to get to a place where the ideas would pick up speed again. But, that's often the time when they disappear and become  more elusive in direct proportion to the amount of energy I put in. I headed to the shower, letting go any notion of needing to find answers. Under that warm flow of water, I got caught up in the sounds. It was almost like standing under a tree in a spring rain. I relaxed in that downpour, and seconds later, the ideas materialized. Bulls Eye!  That moment when it all pulls together and makes sense.

How do you experience that aha moment where it all comes together?

Bulls Eye (3.5"x 4") is made of needle felted Corriedale.

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 20 Gifts of the Sea

Gifts of the Sea

After making this one, it looked like something that came from the sea...blue swirling currents, a few pearly beads, and small sparkly bits that reminded me of sea glass. I can almost hear the surf....

Gifts of the Sea is made of wet and needle felted Corriedale and Merino silk with cotton, seed and glass beads.

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 19 High 5

High 5

I found this interesting brooch in a shop recently. It sparkled as I turned it around in my hand. The blingy quality was very appealing. Envisioning it in a wool piece, I bought it, along with a few other assorted items. The central grouping of stones forms a flower with 5 petals. The number 5 is often associated with luck and good fortune.

The High 5 is frequently the social gesture of choice when we are celebrating something or get hit with some great news or wonderful surprise. High 5s and hand turkeys.

Five was designer Coco Chanel's lucky number. 
"I always launch my collections on the 5th day of the 5th month so the number 5 seems to bring me luck- therefore, I will name it No 5," she said of her famous and wildly successful perfume, Chanel No 5.

I grew up being familiar with that scent as it was my mother's favorite. It brings to mind dressing up, special events, and celebrations.

High 5 (2.5"x 3") is made of needle felted Corriedale with added vintage brooch.

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 18 Lady Bird

Lady Bird

This has been an odd winter for sure. Two weeks ago, I found several lady bugs in my kitchen. Not sure how they managed to get in, but as it was still quite warm, I scooped them up and set them out on the railing of the back porch. Another sign of summer during the winter season. Surprising and delightful.

Living in New Zealand a few years back, I discovered ladybugs are known as Lady Birds. Very regal sounding name, so I made a lady bird of wool and gave her a big gold button. 

Lady Bird brooch (2"x3") is made of needle felted Corriedale with a vintage button. 

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 17 Tiny Fruit

Tiny Fruit

Temps are going up this week...snow one day, rain the next and it's practically spring in the middle of February. I enjoy hunkering down during the cold months, but a few people I spoke with last week told me how much they miss the warmth, sun and gentle breezes. Two were missing picking strawberries. Today's heart is for the strawberry lovers. A little reminder of the luscious color and sweet taste of summertime. What foods remind you of summer?

Tiny Fruit (3"x 3.5") is made of needle felted Corriedale and beads.

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 16 The Crossing

The Crossing

Yesterday's storm left a heap of snow. This morning as I looked out into the front garden, I saw crisscrossing paths of green, footprints left in the snow by the kids on the return from their walk. The grass peeked through the inches of snow, leaving a green zigzagging trail. Ideas just outside the front door.

The Crossing (2.5" x 3")is made of needle felted Corriedale. 

Where do you find inspiration for the creative things you do?

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 15 Summer Breeze

Summer Breeze

Looked to summer skies and the ocean for color inspiration, as today's skies are full of snow. It snowed all night and continues to fall, blanketing everything and creating a lovely stillness. A good day to stay in on this holiday Monday.

Summer Breeze  (1.5" x 2.5") is made of needle felted Corriedale.

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 14 Love to Faraway Places

Love to Faraway Places

Today sending love to faraway places...Christchurch, New Zealand that was hit by another big earthquake yesterday. The village of Sumner sustained severe damage as the cliffs on both the Sumner side and the Taylors Mistake side broke off and crumbled into the sea. I was living on the cliffs of Taylors Mistake five years ago when the Feb 22, 2011 quake hit, breaking off cliffs then, too. From what I've just seen in the news, no one was injured in this one. It was a relief to get texts and email from friends there yesterday and finding out they are all ok. I felt very sad knowing that that beautiful city has, once again, been hurt by yet more earthquakes.

Love to Faraway Places is made of needle felted Corriedale.

 

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 13 Bee-ing

Bee-ing

Having fun with adding more sculptural elements. I've built up layers in the wool to make a small stage where I can pop found objects. I like the image of bees...they are amazing to watch in the spring as all the flowers are appearing once again. Slowing down and focusing, I can hear the soft hum the bees make as they move from flower to flower. 

Bee-ing is made of needle felted Corriedale and a found metal bee charm.

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 12 Little Bit of Both

Little Bit of Both

Still a bit of frost and light snow on the ground..but lots of sun which, looking through the window, feels like spring. This piece is a little bit of both

Little Bit of Both is made of wet and needle felted Corriedale, with cotton, glass and seed beads.

FEBRURARY 2016 Day 11 Sparkly Berry

Sparkly Berry

The color inspiration for this one comes from a berry pizza I saw the other day...a dark nut crust, with a thin layer of cheesecake, a glaze of pureed fruits and topped with fresh blueberries, raspberries and black berries. All those lovely shades of blue and purple.

Sparkly Berry is made of wet and needle felted Corriedale and Merino Silk, with cotton, glass and seed beads.

Where to you look for inspiring color ideas for your art pieces?

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 10 Pearl

Pearl

Looked out this morning to see frost covered grass..looks like a dusting of icing sugar on everything. Having worked as a baker years ago, I did lots of sugar dusting on pastries. It added a finishing touch, gave it a lightness and allowed what was underneath to still shine through. Inspiration for today's piece. What gives you ideas for the things you create?

Pearl (2 1/2"x2 1/2") is made of wet and needle felted Corriedale with cotton, glass and seed beads and mother of pearl vintage buttons.

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 9 Green Dream

 

Green Dream

Someone recently gave me a big bag of antique buttons...all shapes, sizes and colors. The materials these buttons were made of included glass, plastic, metal, mother of pearl, ceramic, leather, and some whose make up I cannot determine. I really liked one green button and made this felt to hold it. Sometimes, when I am out running errands, I notice the buttons on people's clothing. Little things, easily overlooked, yet so important. Next time you are out, have a look around to see if you can spot an unusual button. It's all in the details.

Green Dream (2 1/2" x 3") is made of wet and needle felted Corriedale, with cotton, seed and glass beads and a vintage metal button.

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 8 Ginger Heart

Ginger Heart

I was talking to a painter recently and was asking her about the way she chose to work with color. She had a favorite palette she used often and avoided certain colors she disliked. I often find myself selecting the same set of colors and not really venturing out into using what I consider more "challenging" colors. For today's piece, I picked brown, a color I love in clothing, but one I rarely use in artwork. After completing this piece, it reminded me a bit of a gingerbread cookie.

Ginger Heart (3"x 4 1/2") is made of wet and needle felted Corriedale, with cotton, seed beads, glass and stone beads.

What colors do you find challenging to use in your art? Are there any colors you avoid using for any reason?

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 7 Sweet As

Sweet As

The other day, I stopped at a local supermarket on my way home. This one stands apart from the others as it has displays of antique furniture, a wooden floor, and gorgeous old fashioned styled displays of food and drinks. It's a bit like stepping back in time and reminds me of a dressed up version of general stores I've seen in old movies.

The candy display is spectacular...an island of large glass jars with little silver scoops for collecting. They must have had 25 jars of jelly beans alone. Quite a color collection and feast for the eyes that inspired today's little felted heart. The name comes from a saying (new to me at the time) I heard from New Zealanders when they saw something they liked. Sweet as......

Sweet As (4"x5") is made of wet and needle felted Corriedale with cotton, quartz, glass and seed beads.

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 6 Spiraling

Spiraling

Occasionally when I sit down to work with my art materials, I find my mind jumping around from one topic to another, gaining momentum and not in a direction I'd like to go. To slow it down and get refocused in the present, I pull out paper and pen and begin drawing a series of spirals. Focusing on the feel of the pen as it glides across the paper, the sound it makes and the quality of lines that come from it feels very relaxing. Each spiral is slightly different and tiny ones soon fill the spaces between the larger ones. A minute or two of this and I am in that peaceful state where the door to creativity swings open.

What do you do to reclaim that inner quiet place?

Spiraling is made of wet and needle felted Merino, with cotton, seed and glass beads. It measures 3"x4" (7.6 - 10 cm).

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 5 Lucky Me

Lucky Me

I was out the other day and heard Kat Edmonson's Lucky Lucky Me (listen here). Love so many things about this song...the lyrics, melody, the playfulness. I decided to use this as a starting point for today's piece. I like to begin the day asking myself what kind of lucky things are coming my way...life is just a dream.

What lucky things are headed your way today? 

Lucky Me is made of wet and needle felted Corriedale, cotton, and assorted beads.

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 4 Bumps in the Road

Bumps in the Road

I have a friend who recently mentioned to me that some big obstacles were in the way of things running smoothly for her and it was affecting several areas of her life. Being a very caring person, she often has others leaning heavily on her for emotional support. She is happy to provide this, however due to the sheer amount that is being requested of her recently,  she is now overwhelmed. 

This piece today is an image I saw when hearing her words. She uses her heart as a map to navigate the bumps and obstacles that have appeared.

Bumps in the Road is made of wet and needle felted Alpaca fiber, cotton, and glass beads. The bumps are made of wet felted fiber, formed into balls, cut and then attached to the heart piece.

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 3 Fancy That!

Fancy That!

I remember one day hearing someone say, "Fancy that!" in response to what another person was telling them. Not long after, I heard others describe how they'd fancy this or that object, food, or experience. There was a lightness to it, a playful request or declaration. It seemed to me, yet another way of saying, "Wouldn't it be nice if...." Sometimes the turnaround for that wish was quick and they ended up receiving that very thing they fancied.

Today, think about what you might fancy...getting together with a friend, some inspiration for a creative venture, or a delightful surprise of some kind. Anything is possible.

Fancy That! is made of wet and needle felted Corriedale, Merino silk, cotton, glass heart bead and assorted smaller glass beads.

FEBRUARY 2016 Day 2 Orange you glad

Orange You Glad

What associations do you have with the color orange? I asked a few people the other day and they responded with things like: feeling happy, flowers, mandarin oranges, sunsets, jelly beans, sherbet, butterflies, and even construction cones.

To me, it's an uplifting, cheerful color. Today, look for anything orange and consider things you like that have orange in them.

Orange You Glad is made of wet and needle felted Merino, Corriedale, cotton, beads and shells.

FEBRUARY 2016 Something to Love

True Blue

I dabbled in making hearts last month for the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. Hearts will be showing up everywhere in the next few weeks. As soon as you spot one, another pops up, sometimes in surprising places. We even took a count one year just to see how many times they made an appearance in a day. There's quite a history about how the heart came to be the shape it is and what it symbolizes. For February, I'll be making a new heart every day and allowing it to be a visual reminder to myself to feel love and appreciation for what shows up for me daily.

For today...the color blue. We've had cloudy skies for a few days since the big snow and today, that brilliant blue has returned. Take a minute today to look at the sky and experience the vastness, the color and the mood. 

Today's True Blue is made of wet and needle felted Corriedale, Merino Silk, cotton and assorted beads