Atelier Madeline

Inchie Smiles

2012-01-29T10:33:00.000-08:00

Two Inchies for the price of one. The category this week is Smile.

France was my original inspiration and this little postage stamp from a long ago era. I confess, I am a bit of a Francophile. All things French bring a smile to my face. What makes you smile?

I drew a tiny graphic face then edited her down to fit into our inch space. The other Inchie is a stairwell
looking down from the top. I used Pitt artist pens to draw both and a scrap of lace for an additional smile (more is more, after all) on the stairwell. I'm not sure they are working since the lady looks like she has a black eye, but, anyway, smiles to you for stopping by.

I donated blocks to the Moda military cause and they sent a very nice card and pack of fabric.

❤

Hearts to Moda for caring about our military.

❤

My son designed a "skin" for my laptop with my Etsy store info and colors on it.

❤

Sons are so sweet.

❤

A Touch of L'Amour

2012-01-26T18:27:00.000-08:00

The Frog Project

Make a frog, make a friend so I made one.

Madame (that would be moi) got a new wool hat today. Soft and shapeable.
by Albertus Swanepoel. I love, love his name... and his hats. Sure to chase away any lingering ennui.
I just love saying that word, too.

en·nui (n-w, nw)

Listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest; "The servants relieved their ennui with gambling and gossip about their masters" (John Barth).

Proudly Made in the USA

2012-01-23T15:10:00.000-08:00

This week's Inchie theme is Universe and here's my contribution.

a bit of batik fabric, some angelina fibers, and a gold wire to capture the stars.

Currently reading The Quickening Maze by Adam Foulds ( Man Booker Prize Finalist and hauntingly quiet spaces between the words on each page) and Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy by John Julius Norwich (Passionately written history of the good and the bad has me riveted).

a partially completed page for my sketchbook for The Sketchbook Project, Limited Edition. (Her coloring looks a bit too yellowish in this capture.) I'm playing... with threads of thoughts, of Identity, Masquerade, and (sharing) Self.

Spent 6 hours on a tech support call with Apple. iCloud isn't synching correctly between devices. One device sends me e-mails from one of my two e-mail addresses, another sends from a different one but sends me constant error messages saying my password is wrong (it isn't). My address book changed the birth years to 1902---friends and relatives born in 1902--- I had to go in and repair all sorts of scrambled or duplicated info. Anyone have anything similar with iCloud, and how did you solve it?

Shadow Sides

2012-01-17T18:43:00.000-08:00

A new Inchie and Rembrandt

Rembrandt in America exhibit was well attended and at almost $20 a pop for the tickets I'm venturing a guess that the museum's ticket sales were considerably more than Rembrandt van Rijn ever made from his art in his lifetime. Much wall space was dedicated to attempting to determine the attribution to Rembrandt for many of the paintings. The experts couldn't always agree on his Leiden and Amsterdam output. One thing is for sure he was a subtle master of his buttery palette.

This week's Inchie subject was Shadow.

I painted 2 tiny silhouettes and cut them out, mounted them on some B&W striped fabric and it all seemed like the best I could come up with for that elusive shadow. Then along comes the opinion... of the resident male...a generally trusted critique partner...who went all Jungian on me when he thought it was supposed to be the shadow sides of self... or a pair of devils.

Okay. So my kewpie doll curl on the top of each head was interpreted as a horn.

Deep and interesting but, really, it was just a simple pair of silhouettes.

Pâté at Wendy's and a new Inchie

2012-01-10T11:54:00.000-08:00

Vanity Fair printed an article, Foie Gras at Wendy's Japanese restaurants. For 1,280 yen, or about $16, you can dine like you're in a charming Parisian bistro from Wendy's Premium menu. Would you spend $16.00 for a Foie Gras burger or $12.00 for a Truffle and Porcini Grilled Chicken sandwich?
I might be lured into a Wendy's restaurant.

According to Japan Times, the Kanji of the Year, has been selected

絆 Kizuna meaning "human bonds"

not a surprising choice after all the Japanese people have gone through last year. Sometimes, we're so self sufficient, or self absorbed, until some awful tragedy strikes then we need that human touch.

My Inchie for the week, the topic: City

In retrospect, maybe I should have put some graffiti like we saw in Italy, on my Inchie buildings.

Ever wonder what your books do when you leave the room?

2012-01-09T11:18:00.000-08:00

Watch the Rewards

2012-01-01T12:02:00.000-08:00

The end of one thing usually marks the beginning of something new. Underneath that peeling wallpaper could be a precious mural if we'll only tear the first strip off the wall. Those grand adventures I'm hoping to take this year, and wishing for you, require a letting go of fear, before we can turn the corner and reach out for the waiting surprises. I'm reaching...

... for people that keep me human

... for art that releases me

... for love.

xo xo

End of Year Mish Mash to Share...

2011-12-30T18:16:00.000-08:00

My first (ever) Inchie for the Inchie Monday group I joined. The category: "Golden".

I'm having major problems leaving comments on some blogs. I've tried in both Safari and Firefox browsers but weird things happen, like the comment box disappears or the connection completely times out after I write a lengthy comment (grr!). Maybe it's my fertile imagination but these issues seem to correspond with my signing up for Google Plus---. So, my apologies if you don't hear from me---just know I've stopped in and left good thoughts on your amazing blogs about your terrific work.

I'm also having problems (can you tell???) getting my postings to space correctly. They just seem to do their own wild child thing and it's driving me to the chilled Bellini pitcher. (When we were in Italy, I ordered Bellini's ---it seemed like such a perfect Italian drink --- and the totally charming (up until that point) waiter said, "This is an old person's drink. The young Italians don't drink this." Way to score a large tip with this old lady, buddy.

Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, Marquise de Sévigné, ornament that was gifted to me this Christmas from Leah Marie, the owner of the Have A Marie Christmas Etsy store. Isn't she lovely? Here's the sweet box she came in:

Two knitting/crocheting projects I've been working on, an afghan and the start of a small person's sweater. The afghan is done in strips and is heavier than a cow!

To me this picture looks like a pinkish red but it's really a true red color in person.

Two feathers for Jude's Magic Feather Project with a small feather drawn on some tree bark. I hope these work for her.

Portion of a collage painting I finished but I don't think I showed it to you yet:

This was fabric that I painted for another project. uh-uh, didn't like the way it turned out so I cut it up and made a rose bouquet for my sewing table with stems (fabric tube I sewed then inserted wire in) so I can bend them around.

A few more roses in front of a bridge painting I'm working on sporadically...

and finally, a delicious quote from a strong woman:

“If you are not feeling well, if you have not slept, chocolate will revive you. But you have no chocolate! I think of that again and again! My dear, how will you ever manage?”

- Madame de Sévigné

Sing it, Little Sister

2011-12-29T20:32:00.001-08:00

Thinking deep, this little one...

Somewhere between home and the cinema I lost the centre baguette diamond in one of my favorite rings to-day! It looks like it got into a fight.

Happy Christmas to all...

2011-12-24T19:38:00.000-08:00

Joyeux Noël à tout le monde.

Merry Christmas Love and much light to all the world.

Inchie Monday

2011-12-19T18:36:00.000-08:00

A word a week, an inchie a week. Sounds totally do-able. Inchie Monday (click)

Just finished my feather for Jude Hill's Magic Feather Project. (click) (Tried to grab Jude's icon but Blogger kept telling me it was corrupt.)

The Just-So Stories complete text poster

2011-12-19T14:33:00.000-08:00

The Just-So Stories complete text poster (click)

Isn't this so clever? An entire book on one poster.

Also, aren't you just loving the Christmas-y cheer in the blogosphere? So many talented people making so many colorful goodies. I'm not doing much of that this year and in a real change, no sewn gifts, whatsoever, but some people are getting small paintings/collages.

I feel like the collaging and painting Queen lately (so fun) but today I had to prepare for a new, medium security, work project starting in January. Over 30 pages of documents to fill out (who remembers all of those seemingly inconsequential dates from your past---not me!) and submit them (oy-vey, not so fun).

Cheers, and now, off with you, as you carry on with your creating and celebrating celebrations!

Thanks for stopping by. mmm-wah.

Start your engines...

2011-12-16T16:54:00.000-08:00

warm up your knitting needles and pull out the wood glue, here comes yet another reality show but this one is for CRAFTERS!

TLC Reality Craft Competition Show

(with a $10,000 prize)

I just ordered my Sketchbook for the Limited Edition Sketchbook Project. Sketchbooks from all over the world will eventually all live together at the Brooklyn Library. I chose a Theme of Thread and Surface. Anyone else playing along?

More London Love

2011-12-12T20:17:00.000-08:00

100 Years of Fashion and Dance in one little video

Royal Navy sending out some smiles

2011-12-08T18:07:00.000-08:00

All I Want for Christmas - HMS Ocean
Home after 7 1/2 months at sea

On the Road to

2011-12-08T16:15:00.000-08:00

A five-folded piece I made a while ago. Each section is 5"wide by 12" high standing. (It was not cooperating for a photo session.)

Blanketing my tender heart...

I'm looking for Sugar paper (eco-friendly paperless paper) and Krylon Looking glass paint for some projects.

The paint turns items into looking like a mirror. I want to spray an old lamp's base with it.

Finished reading Triangles by Ellen Hopkins (for a publisher that I review for) written entirely in verse and Bright and Distant Shores by Dominic Smith (which I really enjoyed reading). Starting Northwest Angle by Wm Kent Krueger, promoted as a complex crime novel. I hadn't read any of these authors previously. What about you?

Dancing in the Stars

2011-12-07T21:05:00.000-08:00

Holiday Sketchbook

2011-12-06T20:09:00.000-08:00

A couple of in progress sketches to share with you.

My ink ran dry from my black pen. I've been using Faber-Castell Pitt artist pens. I like them but they seem to run out of ink rather quickly.

It always surprises me how different things look after being scanned and displayed on the monitor.

I tried a crackle technique for the Virgin Mary's robe but it didn't quite crackle the way I'd hoped.

I finished At Home by Bill Bryson and learned the first bras, made by Luman Chapman, were called Puffs (1863). Funny that.

Rainbow Wheels

2011-12-03T20:20:00.000-08:00

Folded magazine turns into Christmas cone-shaped tree. I wanted to sprinkle some mica glitter on this but someone in the house used up all of my spray adhesive. Super easy little project. Fold each page, right corner down into centre, then bottom section up, and voila, one less magazine in the pile.

Cat in the Hat

I went to the Christmas parade to-day partly to see my son helping to hold this balloon. He was totally jazzed. It was fun.

Big Red Bus (the wheels don't go round and round).

I went to see the Muppets movie the other day. How can I say anything bad about Jim Henson's amazing creations? The man was an artistic genius.

Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
the lovers, the dreamers and me.
La, la la, La, la la la, La Laa, la la, La, La la laaaaaaa

(and now that song will be looping around your brain, too. My kids hate it when I sing that song.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Martin Scorsese's Hugo, though. An imaginative kid in Paris.

xoxo

News on the Go

2011-11-30T18:29:00.000-08:00

Isn't this a clever way to get your news? I love it. Little Printer. Saving paper.

Hello Little Printer, available 2012 from BERG on Vimeo.

My Christmas tree is decorated and the wreath for the front door done. Simple red and white theme for the wreath this year. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Loving this cornflower blue quilt that Jan, from Fabrique Fantastique, has for sale at her Etsy store.

Take a peek and tell me if you like it, too. Sweet. I'm still learning the whole Etsy deal but I'm slowly figuring it out. It's a bit like balancing a pear on your forehead but I did manage to add a few more items.

A few weeks ago my daughter sent "Pomp and Power: French Drawings from Versailles" by Xavier Salmon. She got it when she visited The Wallace Collection in London. The book has fifty-two French drawings from the late seventeenth century to early nineteenth century. Delicious.

Merci dear Leah.

Italian Knockers and Boobs

2011-11-25T17:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, a few Italian church tiles. Today, aged to a glowing patina, Italian knockers

and a few works in progress to share.

Partial photo is my French family dressed up for a late 1800's wedding. I've drawn each person then I'm working each person up in a small embroidery square. My plan is to put them in antique mats, the kind that used to be in the old photo albums.

Small detailed sections of some free form mixed media pieces. Painted and embroidered.

So fun and a little quirky.

More to come later.

Plus, I added some silk and burlap Journal Covers and a few other items to my Etsy store.

Re-watching The Tudors series again.

"Wishing myself...in my sweetheart's arms, whose pretty dukkys [breasts] I trust shortly to kiss..."
- Letter from Henry to Anne

Today, poor Anne Boleyn was sent to the Tower... then unceremoniously beheaded by expert swordsman Jean Rombaud, a Frenchman.

3 years with Henry wasn't much of a bargain for her. Anne should have stayed in France where she was a maid of honor to Queen Claude, consort to Francois I.

From Pumpkin Lattes to Spider Sense

2011-11-23T19:57:00.000-08:00

At this giving thanks splendid time of year, I take stock of how blessed I am and how thankful for so much daily goodness. I'm thankful that I don't have to chop all of my own wood to keep warm and to cook my food with and to make my Pumpkin Spice Lattes and that I don't have to wear itchy wool underpants.

High prestige floor tile in Italian church. Isn't it magnificent? Each section seems agreeable to the eye and draws me in. Hundreds of years old and still giving splendid service.

Here's another pattern from another Italian church in Florence.

So, I get into my car, set my purse down on the passengers seat then look over at the most prodigious spider web I've ever seen. See this sucker weaving away? The complex web went from floor to ceiling.

The color of its body almost matches my purse.

Creepy how it blends right in with its own orange striped legs and spotted body. What patience and tenacity as it weaves a bridge from its past to its future.

I'm always looking for deeper meaning in these chance encounters. Everything is intertwined so maybe the spiders appearance was a reminder about how hollow our internal structures are without being surrounded with a safety net, with love, with creative lives. Thank you, spider, for the visit.

Or maybe that's a load of crap.

(At any rate, no spiders were harmed in the making of this posting. Its web is gone but spider lives on... on an Autumn tree in the great outdoors where it belongs...)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dig in and pass the Alka Seltzer.

Women in the Arts

2011-11-20T19:42:00.000-08:00

A yummy exhibition at the Nat ional Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, DC is coming up next February 24, 2012. Royalists to Romantics: Women Artists from the Louvre, Versailles and other French National Collections (1750-1848) is the book that will go along with the exhibit. I'm drooling to get my hands on it but it's not released yet.

We inherited some vintage t.v. studio production cases with some neat twist locks.

A blue one, about six feet tall

and a funky orange one

and finally a few of these

They've travelled the world and have odd stickers on them. They are built to last and heavier than all get out. The orange one is going to turn into a screen printing station. The silver ones are destined to have wheels put on them for some funky end tables, maybe. Any other ideas?

Maddy Made Lines

2011-11-17T15:55:00.000-08:00

Maddy Made Lines, my Etsy store, is now officially open. The shingle is waving softly in the breeze waiting patiently for you to visit.

"Words are a heavy thing... they weigh you down. If birds talked, they couldn't fly."

Christian Williams, Northern Exposure, On Your Own, 1992

Words I liked on a settee from an "eco" friendly store I visited last weekend.

Have you seen the Unhate Benetton ad campaign with the kissing President and kissing Pope and kissing leaders? Photoshopped and sure to cause words to fly...

Ina, Ina, ooh what you did to me.

2011-09-02T10:57:00.000-07:00

Wanderlust is on my mind. I just found this gorgeous site for French pottery
named Madeleine, my namesake. Perhaps a trip to France should be in my future.
Where do you want to escape to?

Check out Madeleine pottery here.

I just finished reading Paris to the Past by Ina Caro.
I blame this yearning to go to France on her. She made history come alive in
a most delicious way with all of her castle, King and gossip talk.

August Birthday

2011-08-22T16:58:00.000-07:00

My son, Chris, works in broadcast news for a major network. Some of the work he did this year was submitted for an Emmy. Isn't that so exciting? It makes a mother proud.

"The News & Documentary Emmy® Awards is a major national broadcast journalism competition. It promotes journalistic excellence by awarding the coveted Emmy® to the very best news reports and documentary films aired on national television or streamed over the Internet each year."

The Prayer Flags quilt is finished and in Ohio now. It was a birthday present for my best friend, Debbie. She simply loved it. Debbie is a devout Catholic and the name of the quilt just fit her perfectly. When I went to Italy I'm not much of a souvenir buyer but I did get Debbie a pretty rosary at St. Mark's in Venice.

Front with the Dove in the Window blocks

Rear columns of Prayer Flags

Currently reading Violette Noziere by Sarah Maza and The Hundred Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais. Both very good reads.

Violette Noziere was a young woman who poisoned both of her parents (true story). The father died but the mother lived. A sensational trial followed. Filled with social history and captivating looks at 1930's France.

It's Summertime and the living is easy.

2011-08-05T12:48:00.000-07:00

Photographed these amazing works on a North Carolina campus. No art store needed. The awesome twig structures from Patrick Dougherty. Inside several were intricate cobwebs that glowed through the partially open twig ceilings. Nature doing her thing with manipulated nature.

I finished two pennants and sent them on their way for the Quilts4London Olympic London Games 2012. Pictures don't show sail boat details very well.

Currently reading David McCullough's The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris. The adventurous journey undertaken back in the day (1830-1900) by artsy and regular folks looking to perfect their craft/experience or "soar into the blue" as sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens described it.

Just finished The Rainbow by British author D.H.Lawrence. Filled with sexual desire and some of the most melodious, beautifully written sentences ever. Thanks to Jan of Fabrique Fantastique for reminding me of this classic story teller.

Hope your summer is a celebration!

Old Goat Gone Wild

2011-07-11T20:36:00.000-07:00

Goat just looking for his next snack.

So, I met a man who had this goat on one leash and his dog on another. Okay.

That is just something I don't often see. A pet goat house trained and leash friendly. hmm. I live a sheltered life. Right after this picture, the goat ate a green ticket that a little boy was holding. Wham! the kid didn't have a chance against this goat. Gees, that boy sure did cry but the goat kept chewing. And the owner says to the kid, unapologetically," he likes the color green. Yep, he sure does."

Sons of the American Revolution memorial service on Sunday.

Pose pretty for me.

This guy was awesome.

Afterwards.

Even a small group from California made the journey.

Sunshine wishes. xoxo

Under one roof

2011-07-07T14:29:00.000-07:00

Gorgeously weathered doors to a shut down mill's fire house (in North Carolina). Inside the creaky doors and strewn on the ground: an almost full tube of toothpaste and a newish-looking toothbrush. Things that make you go hmmm.

It takes some happy hearts and some houses to make a home and 1, 2, 3, 4, my village grew.

6" X 6" painted fabric

SOLD

Bird's Eye View: Summer Graffiti

16" X 24" Mixed media

Please ignore my messy work table and the weird angle of the photo. gees. My Photoshop program

disappeared when my computer died so I'm using some cheapy program. I'm missing my P.S.

Hope your summer dreams are all they should be. xoxo

Would you like to hug a mountain man?

2011-06-27T15:42:00.000-07:00

Spotted on Interstate the other day

Working on Forgotten Faces and just finished this petites fleurs...

11" X 14"

Beaded, hand painted, recycled materials, dyed fabrics

Summer salutations to you.

A soft rain and then...

2011-06-23T11:54:00.000-07:00

...the summer clouds parted to sprinkle some joy.

D'été, le temps d'aimer, boire et manger.

2011-06-06T15:16:00.000-07:00

Some images from my lazy, warm part of the world.

Every day a new adventure (concern) in this day-to-day life of mine. Circles, lines, dots and squares. and always a bit of music to fill in the empty spaces. Summer brings those happy things, dogs to walk, farmer's market visits, and gardens to admire. Hurrah for people to love along the way!

All of the luscious fresh fruits and veggies are bringing yummy dishes to our summer table. Yesterday, a diced apple, celery and thinly sliced red onion salad, dressed with a homemade lemon-mint honey dressing.

A local garden held a Parisian Promenade yesterday which included a poodle parade. Does it get any better than seeing a bevy of pimped up poodles with their prissy haircuts? No, it doesn't. In the background, the white haired, beret topped accordion player pumped out his melodies. Accordions didn't even originate in France but I always associate them with tiny Edith Piaf belting out her "L' Accordéoniste".

The last row, second picture, is a melon carved into a delicate flower design. The local culinary school had several gorgeous ones on display. I was looking forward to the cooking demonstration but, sadly, it was amiss. A large bag of spinach was opened, and unceremoniously dumped into a frypan filled with mushy bits of carrot. This wilted concoction was going to marry a pan of garlic-laced spaghetti. French chefs all over the world would, were they present, gasp amid much, tsk, tsking. Non!

Second row, first picture is a Scottie dog I made from the FREE pattern over here. Super simple and simply sweet, don't you think?

Last row, last picture, is a heavily embroidered 12" X 12" piece I just finished of mola-like swirls.

I'm on a mission to use up fabric that has been lingering around for a few years. To that end, I'm at work on several quilts, one is a pink and white quilt in this Log Cabin Cross pattern found here. I actually thought I was making up the pattern (clever me). After I'd made a few blocks, I found that site with the cute little buttons in the centre of the cross blocks. So, nothing is really new under the sun, I guess, just variations on a well trodden path.

I'm just finishing up a self portrait in oil and acrylic on a rather large canvas. So much introspection, on those tiny lines and flaws of mine, has led me right to the Sangria (gotta use those fresh fruits up before they spoil, eh kittens?)

Lots of time spent with my sketchbook, also using some liquid Dr. Ph.Martin's watercolor paints that are so fun to play with.

Until we meet again, remember to drink your water. xoxo

Authors in the House

2011-05-11T12:02:00.000-07:00

Written from a borrowed laptop (Thank goodness for friends...)

The big news is we have another published writer in the family. I told you about my son Christopher and his awesome first novella, Your Limit is Home, available at Amazon.

now introducing my daughter Leah Marie Brown and her blog. (If you stop by her blog, tell her that Mom sent you and I'm a wee bit proud of her.) She has a fan-tab-u-lous giveaway if you leave a comment on her There's No Place Like Paris posting.

Her book, Silence in the Mist, will be published and available on July 7th, 2011. Leah has wanted to be a writer for as far back as I can remember. At a very young age she wrote to her journalistic hero, Walter Cronkite, and he answered her. Oh, happy days.

You can also find her writing in After the Gloaming,a moody, mystical paranormal romance included in the anthology The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance .

Peace and love, my blogging friends.

Into the Sunset

2011-05-04T10:20:00.000-07:00

Venice, Italy

The sun is setting but their love is strong.

My ~~(beautiful, trusty, capable~~) Mac sang his swan song and died the other day. He'd been a most compatible companion... until a permanent and fatal death claimed his last few sparks of light. Unfortunately, he's left me at a most inconvenient time since I hadn't budgeted a few thousand for a new Apple machine. Fickle lovers, one day they're here, and the next day they're gone.

Venice Graffiti (like love, it's nearly everywhere if you just look for it.)

Tradition!

2011-04-28T21:18:00.000-07:00

A snippet from the Changing of the Guards

Buckingham Palace

March 2011 from my iPod

It's almost Royal Wedding time!

A very friendly horse guard

The gate at Buckingham Palace

Up close

(tiptoeing home after a night at the pub this might be a little scary, maybe)

Now it's almost time to go make tea and get ready for a sacred tradition. The Brits will make a memorable and beautiful ritual for this Wedding. I'm sure of it.

Romance and Ritual

2011-04-27T17:53:00.000-07:00

Will you be watching the Royal Wedding on Friday? Romance, the promise of lifelong bliss, and sappy sentiment all add up to vicarious enjoyment for me. It surely will beat the global fear factor that's all over the nightly news, anyway.

To get you in the mood, in case this whole royal wedding mumbo-jumbo isn't your cup of tea, a few London shots from my visit there last month...

The London Eye on the Thames

Is that my Prince calling?

Notice a theme running throughout London... The Queen's calling card in the Park,

and on the sidewalk,

streetlamps and postal boxes. Just a gentle reminder, folks. Really understated if we compare what my Louis XIV did with Versailles and Paris. Gilt and glory, baby.

Souvenirs? I don't buy them. I used to buy the key rings and other junky paraphernalia only to bring the odd bits home and stick them in a dresser drawer to be forgotten.

Until we meet again,

Choose Love...

Easter eggs and egg faces

2011-04-25T20:57:00.000-07:00

Gigantic decorated chocolate eggs from a small shop in Venice, Italy. They were at least two feet tall. Aren't they spectacular?

Easter Wishes are just as sweet the day after---hope your Easter was special.

Colorful shops on the quaint island of Burano, Italy. Each painted a different color that were pretty enough for an Easter basket.

After my last disastrous swap I didn't think I'd try another exchange but I signed up for another one. But, this promises to use up my growing pile of red fabrics, so how could I resist?

Here's one of the blocks for the Color Block swap. We make 2 blocks a month all in one color variation (for a total of 12 blocks). They have to be 9.5" in size, any pattern.

A few of the little faces pins I've been making at night in my hotel room.

Easter Egghead.

Just because...

People I saw on the subway.

Until we meet again...

Buongiorno

2011-04-23T07:39:00.000-07:00

Morning coffee in Florence, Italy

and something to watch while you sip...

Marines at Play and clearly having fun with it!

Kate and Wills

2011-04-22T16:16:00.001-07:00

The Royal Wedding Dance...

A bit of a jolly good laugh.

Feeling Conflicted

2011-04-22T09:43:00.000-07:00

Back home today for Holy Friday.

Woman, here is your son... Here is your mother (John 19:26)

The sky is leaking gigantic drops (tears?) of rain that look simply beautiful against the lush greenery outside of my studio window. I hope it dries up for all of the wee Easter egg hunts planned for Sunday.

This sacred time is shared by it being Earth Day as well. If you don't want to read about my poor, conflicted self, just stop now with my wishes for a great weekend filled with blessings and hugs of humanity. xoxo

Generally, I feel terrific about the work that I do, that I am contributing, in some minute way, to the eventual goodness in the plight of mankind, but the roof of the immense amount of work that still needs to be done in this world, crashed in on me this week.

A few weeks ago, at a get-together not connected with work, I met some ex-military men who were injured and now suffer extreme swings of PTSD. The gravity of the jobs they did (snipers) was weighing heavy on their shoulders. One lost his home, another started to cry as we spoke privately. Reluctant to ask for mental health through the military channels they seemed like gentle souls inside that have been turned into walking time bombs. One of them asked me what he had to be proud of for his time over there.

How many years have we been celebrating Earth Day---I remember bringing my very young daughter along with me to the very first celebration. And I can't even count the number of Pow-Wows I've attended to heal our scarred earth. So, while I can reflect on the beauty of our planet, smile at the "changes" (however miniscule they appear), keep donating quilts, volunteering and praying, right now none of it seems like nearly enough.

Graffiti

Venice, Italy

Thank you to the marginalized, homeless, or lost people that have taught me so much. To the doctors, wardens, lawyers, advocates, priests, teachers, musicians, military, artists, carers, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters all, that care enough to help make the world a beautiful or safer, saner place. Don't give up. We need you. I need you.

Changes

2011-04-16T22:20:00.000-07:00

Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

Just home for one day to do my laundry then re-pack. Two more weeks on this work project then I might have some time to catch up with everyone. One thing about being on the road is the surprise discoveries of new food places. We ate at a place called ThaiPhoon (better name than ThaiPhooey, I think). Here's what I had:

Shrimp and bits of lemongrass goodness.

xoxo

Say Yes

2011-04-08T10:41:00.000-07:00

A simple, yet powerful way, to be heard.

Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »

STARTED BY

Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation

On the Road

2011-04-03T09:45:00.000-07:00

No time for sewing. Anne, of Film and Thread, is making some beautiful Japanese bags. Lesly, of Pickle Dish, made a lovely quilt with Maison de Garance fabric, and Dee of Dee's Doodles, is making magic happen. All are working fast and furious making up for my (sniff, sniff,) down time. Check out their gorgeous delights and offerings. The fabric goddess smiles.

I'll be on the road this week for work duties. Four more weeks left for this intense work project.

Happy stitching and sketching.

I leave you with a long shot of Venice, Italy.

Be well.

Jewish Ghetto In Venice

2011-04-02T20:52:00.000-07:00

This posting is about feelings, about hunger, about a small section of Venice, Italy. The thoughts of going to Venice had me in a happy frenzy. It's one of those places that look cinematic and oh so romantic. I had high expectations, similar to the first time I visited New Orleans. Venice didn't let me down.

One of the areas we visited is known as the Venetian Jewish Ghetto.

Within this quarter Jews were forced to live in confinement, by order of the Government of Serenissima Repubblica, under special laws enacted in 1516. From sunset to dawn they had to remain within locked gates that were watched by guards. For over two centuries, the Jews lived this way until 1797 when Napoleon (yeah Nappy!) conquered Venice and ordered all gates opened.

Campo di Gheto Nuovo's tall buildings and its central well.

Most of Venice, for some odd reason, felt like it was in a deep mourning. Many of the people didn't smile, the vaporetto's were crowded as people pushed past us to get aboard, and unlike Paris, not many locals were helpful when we asked for directions. It wasn't until we got to the Jewish Ghetto, and this square, that this shroud seemed to lift. Little children were running and playing. There was laughter in the air. Then there was this glimmer of golden light that would suddenly appear and spread a few rays of sunshine on these well-worn, tiered buildings, and their little residents. It all felt so right.

See the synagogue on the top floor. There is an Italian, Spanish and Jewish synagogue in the Ghetto. Many of the buildings are six or seven stories, with no elevator.

Sculptor Arbit Blatas, who lost his mother in the Holocaust, made this seven-panel bronze bas-relief on the theme of the Holocaust. Each panel is concerned with a different aspect: 1) deportation 2) Kristalnacht 3) the quarry 4) punishment 5) execution 6) the Warsaw Uprising 7) the final solution at Campo di Ghetto Nuovo in Venice.

Canal in the Jewish Ghetto of Venice

The rabbi and his dog

European Synagogues poster

Gam Gam Kosher Restaurant, (on the Guglie Vaporetto stop) overlooking the Canareggio Canal, where I had the BEST potato latkes ever. The little dishes are part of the Israeli Starter. (I know, I know, kosher and vegetarian food in Italy but it was a nice change from pasta.) Friendly staff, excellent food and reasonable prices. We sat next to a friendly Austrian couple from Thal who wanted to know what Americans really think of Arnold Schwarzenegger (Arnie was born in their town).

Right behind, Gam Gam are several bakeries selling Jewish cakes and Burekas, yummy filled pastries.

Judaica Store

Approaching the Market and Gam Gam

Fruit & Vegetables near the Canareggio Canal

Cute Potatoe's Travels

2011-03-31T12:08:00.000-07:00

Leaving America with Madeline. Flying is oh-so fun!

Arriving in New York City.

Campanile di San Marco, Venezia 323 feet high, climb, climb, climb


A mask store in one of the hidden alleys of Venice.

A ride on an Italian merry-go-round in yet another lovely Italian square.

Tuscany chef who made, moi!, Cute Potatoe, an amazing plate of pasta and gave me a kiss.

Tiny Tuscany restaurant

Happy and smiling after my Gondola ride.

Graffiti everywhere.

Me dreaming on the Grand Canal, Venice.

Street View

A pigeon plopped down in front of the gondolas on the Grand Canal, just catching some zzz's, I guess.

Rialto Bridge, once lined with shops and filled with rag sellers, taverns and brothels on the periphery.

Many famous 11th-17th century masked balls have taken place in this square during Carnival. Today an early morning chorus of small birds singing at Saint Mark's Square in Venice, Italy fills the air. Later on, the air will be filled with the endless chatter of locals and tourists. The square has been called "the finest drawing room in Europe" and it's easy to see why. Casanova was imprisoned nearby in the doge's palace, in a very dark, dreary cell. From the grating of his cell, he could see rats of a "fearful" size. For a man who once wrote, "The chief business of my life has always been to indulge my senses" this rat infested jail probably did little to contribute to that sentiment.

On the Express Train.

Just chillin' as we wait for the Vaporetto to arrive in Venice. (pinch me, Mutter, I really am in Venezia).

A sunny day, good enough for a picnic near Ponte Vecchio, constructed in 1345 by Taddeo Gaddi (just behind me).

Good bye to Venice and the Grand Canal. On the train to Tuscany.

Outside of Palazzo Poggi, across from Piazzale Michaelangelo. Right behind this perfectly proportioned palazzo (now a fabulous restaurant) is the delicately adorned with inlaid white Carrara and Verdi di Prato marble church of San Miniato al Monte (from the 13th c.). It's the spot where, legend has it, San Miniato picked up his decapitated head (scary) and carried it from the Arno River to a spot on the hillside. The tiny church is filled with fading frescoes that seem to sparkle when the monks sing their daily Gregorian chants (4:30 pm). Nearby is a gorgeous villa built for Marchesa Pucci in 1780 and bought later by, some would argue the greatest tenor of all time, Enrico Caruso.


Two Polizia Municipale chatting outside of the Uffizi Gallery. No pictures allowed inside the Galleria dell'Accademia or the Uffizi.

City views of Florence, Italy from Piazzale Michaelangelo, one of the most famous vantage points, it was sort of like an upgraded balcony seat.

Here I am in Florence, Italy buying a postcard for my Liebe Mutter, Beate. Küsse, Küsse.


Our waiter in Firenze, Italy. His name is Mario and he wants to be an actor. We hammed it up together and he promised to keep in touch.

A festival and historical procession for Pisa's New Year's Day, 25 March 2011, a 10th century AD ancient maritime ruling that the year would start nine months before the birth of Jesus.


The spanking clean Leaning Tower and Cathedral in Piazza del Duomo, Pisa, Italy. It took 177 years, in three stages, to complete the tower and there are 296 steps to get to the top. All of those steps help a girl to work off all of those licks of deliziosa gelato. My favourite flavor was the Amarena (cherries).

Trafalgar Square, London, right before a bunch of protesters got real rowdy.


Lunch at London's National Gallery Cafe. A few secret nips on Madeline's Organic Cider made me feel pretty Yellow Submarine mellow. mmm.

WoW. That organic cider carries quite a kick, let me tell you. Westminster Abbey has such bright colours.

Westminster Abbey's Clock. The inscription says, "Let the People Praise Thee, O God."


Entering historic Westminster Abbey, the setting for every coronation since 1066, as it was getting ready for a Japan Earthquake Ceremony. I couldn't get a closer shot of the flying buttresses (don't you just LOVE that word?---my buttress grew just a bit on this trip:) ) because of the security in place for the ceremony.


London's Underground is called the Tube and it's so easy to follow. Princess Madeline (in the window) and Moi on the Tube.


"C'est Moi" next to a Statue of revered Queen Victoria right in front of Buckingham Palace. The Changing of the Guards was fantastic to see but I'm quite sure I could never be hired as one of the Queen's guards. 1) Guns scare me. 2) How could I go pee without knocking off my tall, furry hat? 3) Standing still for long periods of time. 4) Not talking. That one would get me to the guillotine quicker than new paint drying on old stone. . Off to the right of the statue, they are building scaffolding in preparation for the Royal Wedding of Prince William and lovely Catherine Middleton.

A taste of Steak and Kidney Pie and Ginger Beer.

A view from the capsule of the London Eye.

A view from the balcony of our London hotel. That's Big Ben, pretty cool, huh?


My, what big feet you have. Statue, right front, Buckingham Palace. Some people were climbing on some of the statues which I personally didn't think Queen Elizabeth, were she peeking from an upper window, would much appreciate. Later, a group of rather unruly children, with their parents, sat down in the middle of a bed of (now desperately trampled) daffodils to take their picture.


Almost home. Good bye to London. Hello to Chicago, U.S.A airport store. That's me after looking for a sweatshirt but they didn't have one in MY size. I tried a Chicago hot dog with all of the works instead. It came with (gasp) French Fries which gave me quite a jolt of adrenaline, let me tell you.

One Block for One Soldier

2011-03-09T16:29:00.000-08:00

Moda has a lovely project for our soldiers injured in Iraq or Afghanistan. The Moda staff and designers are going to quilt and bind 100 quilts in 100 days with donated star blocks. (Click here for the Quilts of Valor pattern.) The deadline is May 1st so they can have the quilts done by Flag Day, June 14th, 2011. They asked for either red or blue stars. I hope you can help, too. Here's my humble donation, one block in dark blue and cream:

Then Rene of ReneCreates asked me to join her in donating a small quilt to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative. Founder Ami Simms auctions off the donated quilts to raise money for Alzheimer research. Another worthy cause for such a scary disease.

Different Journey, New Directions

9" X 12"

Our Italy plans are coming together nicely. I booked the Venice Lagoon trip to Murano (glass blowing island) and Burano (lace) so that will take up a few hours of one day. We are adding in a few days in London! so in preparation I checked out the U.K. Liberty store site and drooled over some of the fabrics. The gorgeous scarves reminded me of my friend Jan over at Fabrique Fantastique and her love of beautiful scarves and textiles. I'm definitely not finding any fabric stores in Venice or Florence. If you know of any please let me know so I can do a quick pass through.

I've had a hand tooled leather sketch journal, made in Italy, that I've been saving for more than a few years now. The cover is quite exquisite with seven figures gathered together in communion. The leather is soft and a rich caramel colour. It never seemed like the right time to use it. I found it the other day and thought, somewhere in the back of my head, there was a reason, a greater purpose, for saving this journal. Maybe it wants to go back home for its first drawings on those pristine pages.

Be Kind to Yourself

2011-02-24T15:37:00.000-08:00

Hello Darlings. I've missed you. Madly.

A few pictures of my birthday bouquet taken with my present, a tiny digital Canon camera.

Since my birthday, an icky flu felled me for an entire week. What a doozy it was. Time stopped or felt altered. Lots of bed rest, flat on my back counting my blessings and making lists. Some spiritual scrubbing. Cute Potatoe has been neglected, I'm afraid.

But, I'm on the mend now and planning a vacation adventure to Venice. Yes, it's true. Italy is beckoning me to make my own divine comedy. La Dolce Vita. Have you been there?

Four Days Until My Birthday!*#

2011-02-06T15:14:00.000-08:00

This is hibernating weather! with record cold temperatures outside.

Four Days Until My Birthday!*# when good girls want to break out, have some fun, and do something baaaad. Alas, I am still immersed in the jail and prison work so celebrating will be postponed.

I just have time to share a few quick pictures of how the Dove in the Window top and back are shaping up.

These are all of the stars I got from the group of 12. I mentioned this before about how some members kept my fabric and didn't make the block. Shady. My friend Anne suggested a list for good exchangers to be listed---those nice people that actually DO return your block and in good condition.

Happy, happy thoughts to you. Thanks for stopping by.

Thinking Ahead

2011-01-30T12:39:00.000-08:00

It's 75 degrees out to-day and the sunshine has me thinking ahead. I'm helping spread the word about The Perrysburg Area Arts Council's 4th Annual Fiber Art Show being held at The 577 Foundation in Perrysburg, OH on June 4th and 5th. Innovative uses of fiber media, juried art exhibits, and live music. Click the icon on my sidebar for the application to enter one of your gorgeous pieces.

Cute Potatoe has arrived for her visit with me. Here she is meeting Dieter, a distant relative. I'm sure we'll hear more from Cute Potatoe later.

Postings will be a little scarce from me this week as I'm starting up a big project working in jails and prisons.

P.S. Wishes that your week taps into your heart and fills with inspiration and fun! Be well.

49 Up a Documentary by Michael Apted

2011-01-26T13:57:00.000-08:00

"Give me the child until he is seven and I will give you the man." Jesuit maxim

This is a fascinating documentary following 14 children from the age of 7 until 49 years of age. The children lived throughout England and came from diverse, socio-economic backgrounds (rich, poor, snobby).

The chief researcher and director was then 23 year old Michael Apted. The initial investigation was political in nature with an exploration on the classes. All of this sounds somewhat dry and uninteresting but given the start of the series begins with delightful seven year old boys and girls, full of dreams and precocious joy, then follows them as they grow and become teens then middle aged, some with children of their own, some disillusioned, some following the path set out for them at a very early age, makes it all highly compelling.

Brilliant editing has early interviews interspersed with current talks. This is a life examining series that hypnotically drew me in. It begs to ask the viewer where he or she was at in each time period of the film. I ended up liking 14 people, all filled with so much humanity and individual value. The series is the best mixture of art and science.

Incredible Shrinking Quilt Group Block

2011-01-23T20:19:00.000-08:00

For Solidia. This is the last block I need to make for our group.

She chose the Criss Cross pattern and some cute fabrics.

This makes a very big 16" block so her quilt should go together pretty fast.

Double Helix Staircase

2011-01-17T07:53:00.000-08:00

Château de Chambord

This is a shot of the double-helix open staircase, some say it was designed by Leonardo de Vinci. You start off on one of the two helixes, thinking you'll meet up with the person on the other one, but they never cross in three floors. The fact that it is unfurnished, all of the furniture sold in 1792 by the Revolutionaries, adds to its strange, abandoned, sad beauty. It's a very odd castle with a sculpted roof and multi-designs on the exterior towers and chimneys.

King François I had it built so he could live next door to his married lover. In the 1990's, it's said that Disney used this castle as inspiration for the film, Beauty and the Beast, one of my favorite Disney films. Do you have a favourite Disney film?

This week I am at work seminars all week... something like climbing a spiral staircase in twisting, turning, spinning, thought processes... so very little time for (sniff,sniff) ART.

Hope your week is adventurous!

P.S. Cute Potatoe has arrived from Jacq's house. She'll be resting comfortably, taking a few spa treatments, and unwinding while I am otherwise occupied.

Sometimes, they come in Three's

2011-01-15T08:06:00.000-08:00

San Francisco, California

Toulouse, one of the Three Men, DeYoung Art Museum

Patuxent River, Baltimore, Maryland near Chesapeake Bay

Three Sister Trees

Benicia, California, waterside city in Solano County

City Centre Clock at 3

Five Elements of Prayer: Yellow, White, Blue, Red and Green

2011-01-13T10:13:00.000-08:00

My five elements of prayer begins with Yellowish-Brown for the earth. A portion of a Journal Quilt shown.

Do you wear the colour yellow? It scares some people off. Who wants to look like Big Bird, anyway.

But, I'm sorta fond of yellow. Once I had a pair of gorgeous yellow satin shoes that made me feel like a princess. Someone saw me in them and said something like, "those are the ugliest shoes I've ever seen." That steered me away from yellow for a long time.

I want to make a yellow and white quilt someday. I almost bought an antique one a few years ago but it was a cutter quilt with a very high price. Nevertheless, the impact of the yellow and white stars on that quilt stayed with me. Do you like two-colour quilts? They can carry a lot of impact.

Chenonceau Bouquet

Marie Antoinette's insignia above her bedroom window at Versailles is in a lush, creamy shade of yellowish-gold. Touches of yellow ARE pretty dramatic (or maybe it's all of that hand crafted wood and plaster work topped off with real gold).

and I end this post with an angel to watch over all of this warmth I'm sending your way. I hope it helps to melt some of this blasted *&^! snow.

A Drop of Lapis Lazuli in a Crystal Thimble

2011-01-12T12:21:00.000-08:00

Today there is a gigantic azure sky. A sky so, so, huge for just mere clouds to fill. These are the big "Montana sky" days that make it seem like everything wrong in your life will turn out right. This feeling, the alarmist knows, will surely pass. But, while the beauty of the moment lasts, the same image of beauty captured me when I first saw Versailles, I will take a few moments to revel in it.

Imagine me gathering up the blue of that sky, passing it through the eye of a needle or the bristle of my paintbrush and giving it you.

Paris, France

One view of Versailles Gardens

Ever notice how it's the same sky but the colours look so different depending on where you are in the world? Once I read that you can never be depressed if you continue to look up. I quite like that thought.

Birthday Time

2011-01-09T21:23:00.000-08:00

Bonjour. It's my birthday.

Peanut butter puppy cupcakes are yummy. Come to my house and have some, if you like.

Dove in the Window Block

2011-01-08T07:29:00.000-08:00

Two more blocks arrived from our Incredible group, the first from Solidia and the second from Jennifer. Thanks, ladies, for the pretty blocks!

So, now I have five blocks from our group of twelve. It feels like a party guest list. If you send out twelve invitations, I've read that odds say you'll get a 40% response rate. I guess this isn't the time for a random Emily Post rant about etiquette. How do you deal with non-responders in these block exchanges? My inclination is to just let it go but with the cost of fabric, postage, and time to address envelopes to everyone it seems like a wasteful deterrent to my future participation in these groups.

Chasing the Dream

2011-01-07T14:27:00.000-08:00

Early in 2010, with my Faces Project in mind, I stitched this face with some leftover cheesecloth that I had from a session with a bundle of herbs, some lavender and a length of string. The Bouquet Garni turned out great but I wasn't all that pleased with the face since it had a Frankenstein with head trauma quality that I wasn't exactly going for. I stashed it away under my bed in my box of unrealized dreams.

Ambulance Chaser

In the December/January 2011 issue of Quilting Arts magazine there is an article about fibre artist Mary Pal (go look see) and some pictures of her awesome cheesecloth faces. Well, blow me down. She had the same idea I had but her technique totally made the difference. Mary's faces are free stitched while I initially made the cheesecloth fusible and placed the face on the black background THEN went back to add detail.

Well, live and learn, folks. Live and learn.

Color Me Happy

2011-01-07T11:03:00.000-08:00

Next month I have a milestone birthday, and in June my son hits one of his milestone birthdays, so before the stone pillars completely cover up my steps we are planning a delicious, delightful trip. More about this later... later in the Spring...

Sephora just sent me an e-mail that my balance is zero, zilch.


	0 points as of 1/5/11

Voi·là

[vwah-lah; Fr. vwa-la]

voi ~ see! + la ~ there

A little color in my life. See there, that's just what we need after the holiday rush. The answer to any problem can always be helped by beads and baubles, don't you think? Work in progress.

But, right now, a mini rant about e-mail advertising. Am I the only one that gets multiple e-mails from Bath & Body Works, Disney Destinations and Interweave Press, along with a growing list of people that seem to think I have amnesia and can't remember that they just reminded me of their terrific offers that I shouldn't, couldn't, musn't live without? I have unsubscribed from many, but I notice, the bombardment tends to go up when I use Facebook more often. We watched the movie, The Social Network, and it reaffirmed my commitment to share very little personal information with that site.

One e-mail I do appreciate getting is from The Brave Girls Club. I like their mission and they send an inspirational daily e-mail that I do appreciate.

"We are on a wild and crazy mission to find all of the brave women of the world...to help them find each other...then to change the world with good news, good ideas, good people, and good times. We hope you will join us!"

Love Talks

2011-01-05T15:13:00.000-08:00

Some time ago, I read about a study that Social scientists conducted on the touching habits of Parisians versus Americans. In only one hour of time, the observer noted that European's touch their friends 100 times versus the Americans who touch their friends 3 or 4 times. Fascinating.

There is an isolation and emotional remoteness in our society today. Sometimes, it seems like we walk around in a suit of armor, afraid and trapped, needing our space, aloof and independent. People can be so easily dismissed, disposed of, forgotten. Just think of it though, a simple caress, or a few kind words, have the potential to change the life of an elderly woman or a homeless man.

As so often happens with my wandering mind, this got me thinking about conversations, identity and isolation, communication in community. (By the way, I don't do community well. Large gatherings and non-stop talkers deplete me.) The simple art of meaning what we say and saying what we mean is so powerful. I'm totally still in training, distilling what words matter, and must be said before it's too late.

In his 1950 Nobel Price acceptance speech, William Faulkner said,

"I believe that when the last ding-dong of doom has clanged and faded from the last worthless rock hanging tideless in the last red and dying evening, that even then there will still be one more sound: that of man's puny, inexhaustible, voice still talking."

Which all led me to my Faces Project that I'll share a few now. Here starts the conversation.

Join in.

Underwater Sculpture by Jason deCaires Taylor

2011-01-04T12:26:00.000-08:00

Some eerie, but mind blowing-ly wonderful, photography here. Take a look-see.

Underwater Sculpture by Jason deCaires Taylor

They captured my imagination. Some of them are almost like a Trompe l'oeil scene.

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Texture Faces 2011

2011-01-03T18:36:00.000-08:00

I have a new toy to play with in my virtual playground~ a Bamboo Tablet. Amazing fun.

I'm using it with Corel Painter and going through some tutorials for now. I hope this will be the beginning of a wonderful story.

Learning my Bamboo A B C's

2011-01-01T10:43:00.000-08:00

Do you make New Year's resolutions?

Me? Not so much.

I set color goals instead. Last year, I wanted to examine white and off-white. To go into the blaring blankness alone and not be so afraid of it. When I became a single parent, and my beloved only daughter left home at the same time, I spent a lot of time going into the color black. During those bête noire days even my poems turned black. I channeled Sylvia Plath. The birds that visited my garden, ravens and crows, were a deep, glistening ebony. The unbelievably painful absence of people that we love turns our color wheel sometimes.

It was during that time that I also learned to pay attention to the simple elements in my life. Letting go of possessions that didn't really matter, (how many pairs of shoes does one person really need to happily survive---I know, I know, shopping IS fun), sifting through the rubble that was left behind. Years later, after so many washings, even the color of life's harshest memories, tend to fade and run.

This year I want to use a full palette of color, to live more, love without reason, and continue to need less. If each day is a bead, I want to string them to make a rosary, a living sacrament of all that remains, and is good in my life. It's time, my friends, to fill up our memory jars, and celebrate our splendid colors.

Here's to 2011,

To Love in color, to community, to living.

Pour l'amour de la couleur, voici à la vie.

Pop Your Cork

2010-12-30T16:42:00.000-08:00

Cheers to New Year's Eve.

I would like to wish you all the best and may the incredible best be yet to come.

Thank you for visiting my Blog this past year. Your presence made me smile. I applaud your good taste. (take a bow and pick up the red roses at your feet).

Bonne Année A Tous!

Celebrate,

With Love from Atelier Madeline

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Pardon my dust...

2010-12-24T17:51:00.000-08:00

You light up this corner of my blog world.

Merry Christmas.

Pardon my dust during my blog redesign.
Please come back and tell me how you like the new 2011 colors and new background.

Last Minute Christmas Gifts

2010-12-22T21:28:00.000-08:00

Soon, Very Soon...

Réveillon de Noël

I made some small needle cases for an exchange group.

They turned out sort of cute and went together in 10-15 minutes not counting the embroidery.

Linen with French Knots

Case Closed

Size is 3"

Case Open

Rear, little detail.

Celebrate Winter

2010-12-20T15:37:00.000-08:00

Winter Solstice and Lunar Eclipse tonight. Pretty exciting event starting at 2:40 a.m. in my part of the world. In the quiet of the night, I'm going to have an aromatic midnight tea and do some spiritual reflection and releasing. Here's an easy, yummy dessert or brunch item recipe to share.

Apricot Palmiers

1 pound of Puff Pastry, thawed if frozen

For glaze:

2/3 c. apricot preserves, strained through a sieve

1 T. orange liqueur (like a Grand Marnier)

3 teaspoons Finely grated orange zest

Fine Baker's sugar for sprinkling

Sprinkle sugar on rolling surface. Roll dough into strips about 17-18" long, 5" wide, and 1/4" thickness. Lightly brush dough with water flavored with 1 teaspoon orange zest. Brush strained apricots on dough. Fold over the long sides so they meet in the middle. Put 2 teaspoons orange zest in sugar and mix. Sprinkle dough (a lot :) with sugar mixture and lightly brush with water. Now fold the dough lengthwise, in half, so it forms a long, multi-layered strip. I usually get about 4-5 layers high.

Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 45 minutes.

Cut the dough crosswise into 1/2" wide strips and shape.

Bake in 425 degree oven for about ten minutes. When the bottom sugar starts to caramelize, turn the cookies over, sprinkle with more sugar, and bake for another 3-5 minutes. This will make a few dozen, depending on how you slice them.

Bon Appetit.

Part of a poem I like by Edward Hayes from his book, Prayers For a Planetary Pilgrim

In the heart of every person on this Earth
burns the spark of luminous goodness;
in no heart is there total darkness.
May we who have celebrated this winter solstice,
by our lives and service, by our prayers and love,
call forth from one another the light and the love
that is hidden in every heart.
Amen.

      (¯`O´¯)
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* * , • JOYEUX• , * '
*   * ' • * * • ' * '
' * ' • *** NOEL*** • ' * ' '
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( )
( )

Lydia's Dove in the Window Block

2010-12-20T13:38:00.000-08:00

Here's the second block I've received back from my Incredible group. This one is from Lydia. I don't think Lydia has a blog anymore but isn't it pretty?

This is the one from Dee that I already showed you. And then there were TWO!

The French Love Breasts.

2010-12-19T06:54:00.000-08:00

The Three Graces

Click on the link to see a picture of Lucas Cranach The Elder's painting, The Three Graces.

The Louvre wanted to buy this gorgeous painting so it appealed to the public for donations.
La Belle France anted up (giving over a million dollars) and saved a few boobs. I had no doubt they would.

Wouldn't this painting, with its diva red hat, be a good logo for say, the Red Hat Society?

When Leah and I visited France we were struck with how free breasts, or breast imagery, swing from more than a few places, like on their posters, sides of buses, perfume ads, piles of fruit in the market, and Art. Generally, they were provocative, but elegant views, and provided a seemingly never ending source of amusement for us.

Breasts, they're not just for breakfast, baby.

Museum Visit

2010-12-18T18:37:00.000-08:00

Most all of the pictures I use on my blog are ones that are I've taken of my art but I thought this window was too pretty not to share.

Beautiful stained glass window taken at a local historical museum. Unfortunately, I don't know who the artist was. It took up a huge portion of a very tall wall so it was quite striking to see it.

   (¯`O´¯)
                *./ | \ .*
                .*♫*.
            . • '*♥* ' • ,
         . '*• ♫♫♫•*'
        . ' *, • '♫ ' • ,* '
      .' * • ♫*♥*♫• * '
   * , • JOYEUX• , * '
    * ' •♫♫*♥*♫♫ • ' * '
' * ' • *** NOEL*** • ' * ' '
' ' * • ♫♫♫*♥*♫♫♫• * ' '
     (♥)
   (♥)

Becoming the Leaf

2010-12-17T13:09:00.000-08:00

The sun is on duty to-day, the ice is melting and the berries turning bright red again.

drip, drip, drip, little drops become oceans

I've started some blocks for my Prayer Flag quilt but the square in a square block is turning out with the corners cut off. See that? Moda's directions for this block had me confused.

Auditioned and pinned the pieces down for Snow Wizard's home.

My work looks a little beige and bland, maybe, but I tried!
maybe it shows that I'm feeling a little under the weather.

No matter, I show up everyday.
If you are my friend I'm loyal to the end
and don't sit on the fence if you need defending, or talk behind your back.
Those are words I want on my tombstone: She Tried.

I have a large painting to get done before Christmas and

I've been working on a 2011 redesign for my Blog.

Since I have no outside obligations to the world at large it might be a good day to rest, for some watercolor play, or to read a book instead, eh.

Do you have a favourite perfume? Mine is Parisienne by Yves Saint Laurent. It's soft and feminine with gentle undertones of berries and rose. J'adore. I like the little videos that pop on but I wonder if the model walking down the steps dressed only in a scanty black ribbon wears Parisienne...

My second favorite soft scent would be Verbena from L'Occitane. Have you ever shopped there? The gift wrapping is as divine as the product.

What's your favourite perfume?

On another beauty note, I won a drawing for a free haircut. They just called me with the good news.

It could be a good thing or not so good... Ex-hairdressers can be discriminating. Haircuts were an area I excelled in so I'm particular about who I let cut my hair. Everyone seems to have a haircut disaster story, though.

Hope the Spirit is dwelling nearby...

2010-12-16T16:53:00.000-08:00

Blue with cold, shivering all over,

Ice crowns growing on my window.

Icy leaves pointing to the icy pond. A few days ago I showed you the view powdered with snow.

It must be too cold for even the ducks as they have flown away. Did you see the spectacular pictures of the lighthouse on Lake Erie (on BBC)? Amazing nature. What an artist.

I've decorated some angel rocks for the window sills---to welcome in cold, friendly souls passing by.

Turning on the Stars in Bethlehem

a little WIP

Have you seen this video yet? A sign of our times but quite clever.
The Digital Story of the Nativity
(I have noticed that it takes a few clicks before some of these videos will start to play.)

Hope you are keeping warm. Keep your spirits up! with spirits. xoxo

Looking for a Gift Idea?

2010-12-15T12:30:00.000-08:00

A book written by an author I know very well.

My copy is on its way to me (oh, exciting!) so I haven't read it yet.

If you type in Lulu coupon codes in Google it will bring up some discount codes you can use to buy this book with. I saved $3.00. yippee.

It's true. French movies make me smile.

2010-12-14T19:34:00.000-08:00

Remember how I loved Johnny Depp in The Tourist? He's just been nominated for a Golden Globe. I am still hoping to find him in my stocking on Christmas morning.

The Illusionist looks fabulous and it's nominated, too. By the same director that made Triplets of Belleville. Take a peek.

This and That

2010-12-14T15:14:00.000-08:00

Tis the green season to give...

but I won't be giving this cream to anyone but maybe you want to buy a few for yourself?

REAL diamond dust is infused in the cream. $600.00 for 1.7 ounce jar

Carita Diamant de Beaute

Tiffany & Co

I Love You sterling silver ring, only $100.00
so very, very, v.v. cute!

but, I digress, back to this season of giving. This is the year we are not giving presents. I'm currently unemployed but we've decided to give to others that need it more than we do. In keeping with that decision, my son donated blood today to the American Red Cross. He's besting my record for giving! and aren't I proud? (why, yes, yes, I am).

To-day I'm making fudge and decorating cookies to donate. While I was baking, I listened to a really inspiring talk about spiritual parenting by Rabbi Sasso.

How do we nurture children to think ethically? She said society teaches children how to be consumers and competitors! but how do parents teach not just manners and minds but also their souls.

"Each person names God out of his or her experience. God is like a mirror and everyone who looks into it sees a different face." ~ Rabbi Sasso

I was raised in the Catholic faith, lots of rituals, and while it left me bruised and searching for more answers than the priests and nuns were ready to provide to a curious child,
it gave me a faith for life, and a quest for the spiritual. a good thing.

Yesterday I watched a movie by Israeli Director Eran Riklis called Lemon Tree.

Salma Zidane lives in a small village in Palestine tending a lemon grove that has been in her family for over 50 years. She's a widow and makes her living growing and selling her lemons. On the Israeli side of the fence, the Defense Minister moves in and his security force determines the lemon grove poses a security risk and must be removed. Salma, with a quiet dignity, hires a lawyer and sues the minister but she's up against big money and the military.

The scenery and town views allow the viewer a thoughtful journey into the Israeli-Palestinian impasse. The director presented the story in an unbiased way and let the characters shine. As Salma sits in court, tears filled her eyes ( and mine) as she spoke to the judge about the spiritual nature of her land, what it meant to her, how she made her meager living off of it, but she could not control the situation. The judge rules that a section of the grove be cut down and a VERY tall concrete wall be built between the two homes. A partial win for Salma.

The place she was born into was not hers. The movie ends with a shot of the cut down trees and the high, ugly wall.

and I leave beautiful you with a song.

Chant, Music for the Soul

Once in a Blue Moon

2010-12-12T17:32:00.000-08:00

Dreaming in Blue

Darkness falls, the moon rises,
as the wind whispers a tune
to make me drowsy
she blows a spell beneath my bed
and gently covers me with mountain shadow.

He's Coming!

2010-12-11T08:42:00.000-08:00

Christmas Countdown

2010-12-10T23:01:00.000-08:00

Today, I went to see The Tourist starring Johnny Depp. It's an entertaining, romantic caper film, with a bit of action and intrigue, set in lovely Venice. The scenery is simply spectacular. Venice looks like the place to be to fall in love. As usual, the critics are giving yet another movie lousy reviews. No surprises there. I seldom read reviews before I go to the cinema since some of the reviewers seem to be burnt out and hypercritical.

Today I made half dozen napkins for a friend

and a scrappy praying angel.

Silver Christmas

2010-12-09T14:13:00.000-08:00

Through the bare branches, the sky remains...

These beautiful branches were the inspiration for this Snow Wizard.

He's a work-in-progress but I like the way he's coming alive. I'm braiding some silver cord to be woven into his beard & hair. Sorta stumped on the best background for him. He started off to be a doll friend for Papagena but rapidly took a turn into a flatter friend.

"If, instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give."

~ George MacDonald

This is an Angel Christmas card for my best friend. Hope she likes it.

Same card standing up. Each wing page has something to say with words or bits of burlap or lace. The front cover has the word

"Joy" written on it in silver paint. I quilted the feathers and pages with silver metallic thread.

Character (Karakter) directed by Mike Van Diem

Last night we watched an extraordinarily powerful film called Character (Karakter). It's one of those movies that will be remembered long after viewing. Based on a 1938 Dutch novel by Ferdinand Bordewijk, it's an emotional drama about a son named Jacob Katadreuffe and his devil of a seed donating father named Dreverhaven, a bailiff. The director managed to convey 1920's Rotterdam in a visually stunning way.

The story begins when Katadreuffe's complacent mother, Joba, has sex with her boss, Dreverhaven, while in his employ as a housekeeper. It doesn't say it, but it seems as though sex was not something she wanted to do with her boss. This one time only encounter led to a pregnancy for Joba. She leaves Dreverhaven's home to raise her son on her own. She is cold and uncommunicative to Jacob for much of his life.

At one point, the young boy gets arrested (some passing boys thrust a loaf of stolen bread into his hands just as the police round the corner) and the boy tells the police his last name is Dreverhaven.
Of course, everyone knows who Dreverhaven is, so he is summoned to the police station. The rat denies he knows the boy. Dreverhaven also did not mention anything to the police about what really happened even though he watched the entire incident from an upper floor window at his place of business.

The child continues to cross paths with Dreverhaven and each encounter ends up with the cruel father being completely devoid of any emotion for his son. Dreverhaven's character clutches a mirror of depravity and deformity that is completely convincing.

While probably not for everyone, this was a rich study of psychological suspense. It was left open ended and that would be my only negative comment.

Living the Day

2010-12-08T13:43:00.000-08:00

Christmas in the city.

The elf is all tangled up in a strand of silvery lights.

December Journal Quilt

9" X 12"

The first snow fall of the season from my bedroom window. 2" of tender, soft snow.

A little stuffy cat angel. My son wanted the wings to turn into golden whiskers instead of wings. (Sometimes, he just doesn't get it :)

Mr. Grinch gets his sewing groove on, too.

Watch You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch in Animation | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

All that Glitters

2010-12-07T16:58:00.000-08:00

Dee from Quilting Dee just sent me my finished block for the block exchange. Look how pretty she made it. Thanks, Dee, for my glittery star.

It's a 9" partially paper pieced star called Dove in the Window made with Moda fabrics.

A French Christmas

2010-12-07T10:26:00.000-08:00

Little Angels in our fields. From my heart to yours.

Hot off of my sewing machine.

Et de nos coeurs et nos voix.

And our hearts and our voices.
Gloria In Excelsis Deo,

Gloria In Excelsis Deo .

Celtic Pilgrimage trailer

2010-12-06T16:21:00.000-08:00

I have a wonderful new man in my life, John O'Donohue. A humanitarian and a poet with an Irish accent that makes me croon. He's written several books, including Anam Cara and Conamara Blues. His poems are rich and ruggedly beautiful.

Definitely NOT Christmas related.

Queen Elizabeth's Undies in Your Stocking?

Okay, so on this article I think, Is nothing sacred? and Off with his Head for selling off the Queen's private undies. Chivalry is hiding. Confession time: I did sneak a peek at the pictures showing tiny seed pearls, embroidery, and lovely lace, on her extravagant bloomers, though.

Also, as long as certain parts are getting out in the open. I'm appalled at the full body scans (not to mention the radiation exposure) now required at U.S. airports. I am ALL for safety but what's next?

Between Facebook's redesigned profile pages blasting every intimate detail of our lives to millions of people and money grubbers selling off the QUEEN's private goods, well... I'm feeling violated. Yes, for Facebook I can choose not to join but there is no choice but to succumb to a full body scan if I want to fly. It seems like the buggers are trying everything to get into our knickers.

Love: It touches everywhere

2010-12-04T08:53:00.000-08:00

Thank you for the lovely comments, e-mails, e-cards and words of caring you sent to me.

Humble me loves spectacular you.

Christie, our cat, loved sleeping on a chaise that was on a 2nd floor deck. I could look out my studio window and see her curled up and asleep. Today when I opened the blinds and looked out, a plump bird was on the window ledge looking in at me. It hopped around then tapped on the glass. When I went outside, I saw that she had built a nest. A new day, a new view.

My son works for a television station and today is the Christmas Holiday parade. He's totally jazzed because he's helping to hold Clifford the Big Red Dog (very large) balloon and hand out candy to little ones.

An old pine tree can teach you the sacred truths. ~ Zen proverb

As you can see above, my Christmas tree is up and decorated. Cookies are being made and our volunteer schedules are written on the calendar. Snow is predicted for tonight, but nothing like our U.K. and European friends have had in the past week, just a light dusting. It's time to hold a warm, heavy bowl of morning tea and smell the season. Join me?

30 November

2010-11-30T13:36:00.000-08:00

And so there are those sad days that wither us, today, my friends, is one of those days. The somber jaws of death have quietly opened their caverns to call our sweet cat, Christie, to her end. Please send a kind thought to the sky and help us celebrate our cat's loftiest adventure yet. She was truly one of the gentlest members of our tight little family group.

It is raining here, usually I like the rain, but my father, who coincidentally also died on 30 November 1983, always hated it when it rained. Once I asked him why he hated the rain so. He gruffly said, "Nothing good ever happens to me when it rains." That seemed like such an oddball thing to say with so many days in our lives and so many of those days that rain falls so I probed with another question. What do you mean, I said, to which he chuckled and replied, "I met your Mother when it was raining."

This image of time passing, seeing my son select this tiny cat at the rescue shelter in San Francisco, watching them both grow up, remembering the loves and laughs we've had together, knowing what a fragile wonder those sweet moments have been, well, there will be a hole in the place she left behind.
Today, everything has the color of rain.

Rest in Peace

23 June 1993- 30 November 2010

Bringing Earth and Sky together, like a poet

2010-11-27T21:52:00.000-08:00

"Women can hold up half the sky."

~ Chinese Proverb

Blue skies and crisp, clear weather here today. A beautiful stillness inside.

La reina de la noche

2010-11-25T18:40:00.000-08:00

Did you ever see a performance of The Magic Flute by Mozart? The Papagena character inspired me to make my first ever doll. In the version of the show that I watched Papagena's entire face was surrounded by a crown of golden leaf-like feathers.

Towards the end of the performance,

"Wisdom and light have scared away ignorance and darkness," says Sarastro.

The prince and princess clasp hands. Together, they can face anything.

aah! true love, isn't it grand?

So, here's my little doll.

What did I learn about making dolls?
Well, kiddies,

1. draw the face BEFORE you stuff it.
2. put on some of the feathers before you sew the face front to face back
3. practice making pattern pieces as impromptu isn't always the easiest way to go
4. don't make the legs so skinny that there isn't enough room to fit in stuffing
5. embroider the face BEFORE you stuff it so the eyes are even :)

Next time I know what to expect and will be prepared. Call this Papagena Sunflower Girl my dry run.

Mozart's characters are funny, fascinating, and full of mystery. Good and evil.

The character that I think would be wickedly fun to make is the Queen of the Night. I love how she turns at the end of this performance and her cape is sparkling. And check out that crown. I have a thing for crowns anyway.

To the palace, my dears, dessert is ready.

LA PRINCESSE DE MONTPENSIER (Bertrand Tavernier) - Bande Annonce

2010-11-25T11:32:00.000-08:00

This movie looks delicious. The director, Bertrand Tavernier, digs into the souls of his characters. He explores the possibilities. There is also a certain passion in the scenery and sword play that draws me in every time. I want to learn more usually. Do you like foreign movies or not?

Thanksgiving Wishes

2010-11-24T14:45:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving.

May your blessings be over-sized and your dreams
grow feathers and wings.

The Mind's Eye

2010-11-23T14:17:00.000-08:00

Fabric covered branches in simple cone trees.

A few of my favourite ornaments:

c. 1969 Porcelain with 24k. gold trim

c. 1970 Wax from Austria

Once upon a time I had an entire box filled with European wax ornaments. They came to a sad ending when they melted while in storage in Texas. This little angel baby survived!

I just finished reading The Mind's Eye by famed neurologist Dr. Oliver Sacks. 7 brilliant essays and observations on the workings of the human brain as it adapts/overcomes disabling conditions. One is a condition called prosopagnosia (the inability to recognize faces), another Agnosia (inability to identify objects) and Aphasia (loss of speech and language comprehension). The final chapter on memory, visual imagery and the power that language plays in our lives is fabulous food for thought on creativity.

Looking Outside Today

2010-11-22T14:14:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my front door.

The poinsettia, tucked inside a turn of the century tin cart, is waiting to greet you.

A wreath with hundreds of acorns and a sparkly, sprayed and glittered (with Martha Stewart's super fine glitter) bronze bird and Noël

Chaplin wanted to say hello, too, and let you know that he helped with placing all of the gold and silver stars.

On our walk today...

I went to check on my fabric tied around the trees and visited a few friends on the way.

Beautiful segments of passing time, quiet mosses, and nature's pen and ink textures.

The small comforts a walk in the wood brings.

No visible change yet.

Free Fabric!

2010-11-21T12:58:00.000-08:00

My day goes better when I decide that if anything will go right, it will. What could be better, for a textile lover, than seeing these glowing words on the side of a building, off of the freeway, as I made my way to the park?

The sky lit up. Sunday blessings.

Rows and rows of bolts of fabric.

Some toile fabrics I'd never seen before, like this scenic pastoral and

this one.

I finally made it to the park.
Oh! and the free fabric turned out to be your choice of odds and ends in a gigantic bin. Take your pick. I selected about a yard of a sort of British Colonial upholstery fabric with these free-flowing, floribunda roses and perfectly perched butterflies.

Imagination: Let it Snow!

2010-11-19T14:08:00.000-08:00

This window in a Loire Valley chateau reminds me of snowflakes. Isn't it a simple, but pretty little window? I especially liked the shadow points on the wall and those mellow shades on the wood.

Fabric snowflake cut out of white cotton fabric. My headache riddled brain can't figure out how to get you the correct image of the snowflake since this scan has it reversed.

Here it is with a piece of dark batik behind.

I'm experimenting with the white snowflake fabric mounted on linen and with the white

fabric as a stand alone snowflake, padded and quilted. The snowflakes are 9" square.

First, I used an iron on interfacing to give the white cotton material a little substance. I folded the fabric in half, then half again, then sideways into eighths so you have a triangle after it's all folded. Then I just used a curved ruler and drew different shapes onto the edges of the fabric triangle. With sharp scissors, cutting was easy but a little slow going.

Here's a section of one mounted on linen with a touch of embroidery and some beads to start. This one will have a few bits of lace, too. Remember grade school and paper snowflakes? So much fun. Have you made these with fabric already? If so, feel free to leave me suggestions since I'm a fabric snowflake virgin.

Feeling Green

2010-11-18T13:21:00.000-08:00

Ever feel like all of your lights just aren't shining bright? Welcome to my week.

If a body is a temple mine feels like it's in need of some major repairs. Miserable migraine and other horrors that I refuse to face. If I ignore it, blindfold myself to the immediate, will it just go away? Please.

I'm reading Waiting for Snow in Havana, Confessions of a Cuban Boy by Carlos Eire. It's his memories of being airlifted out of Cuba (1962) when he was just eleven years old and Castro ousted President Batista.

In the Preamble he writes that "Memory is the most potent truth. Show me history untouched by memories

and you show me lies.

Show me lies not based on memories

and you show me the worst lies of all."

While the book is well written and at times, captivating, I don't agree with memory being the most potent truth. Memory can be the smoke of an autumn bonfire. Memory can be the place where the biggest distortions happily reside. Memory can dismember buried laundry and give it so many washings that the true colours blur and run.

Happy thoughts: A little early but my Christmas tree is taking shape. This year I bought 4 yards of amethyst coloured tulle

and a bunch of curly willow to decorate my tree with. Do you change your color palette every year? Martha Stewart said she is doing her trees in red and white. Let the festivities begin!

9" X 12"