It’s funny though, as much as I love the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, the photos I find most inspire me to create art are of the little things.  I love the texture of lichen on rock, how water reflects sunlight - even the twists and curves of tree roots.

Here are some of my favorite photos (just remember, they are my copyright and may not be used without my permission) - that are making my fingers itch to start a new art project:

So next time you’re looking for inspiration - I’d recommend taking a fresh look at the little things.  Pay attention to texture and detail - you might be surprised at how much is out there!

all photos: ©  C Findlay-Harder

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Here’s my palette for my next machine-embroidered piece of fiber art:

That’s so yummy I think I could eat it with a spoon :-)  I’ve got sari silk ends, raw mohair, carded mohair (from a farm just down the road from me) silk caps and silk roving.

I love the different textures and hands that you get from using different types of fibers in one piece.  The silk acts differently from the mohair, which has a different shine than the raw mohair does… and then there’s the sari silk…

Next time you’re planning a piece of fiber art, try something different that you haven’t tried before.  You might be surprised at the results you get :-)

image: C Findlay-Harder

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There are a few things that can make your life easier, especially if you have a small sewing machine, or a machine with a small harp or large base.

• First of all, try rolling up the pant leg as tightly as you can - reducing the bulk can make your life easier.
• Use safety pins to hold the rolled areas together - that way you won’t have to worry about holding them together tightly. Just make sure you don’t sew over the pins!
• Try a different angle. If you’re trying to sew a patch from the bottom of the cuff, upward - try going from the waistband down - it can be easier to slide the larger areas of the pants onto the machine.
• Make sure the patch is fused on - again, if you’re not having to hold extra things in place it will make your life so much easier!

Unfortunately, there are some sewing machines that are simply too small or under-powered to tackle heavy fabrics like blue jeans. If your machine stalls when you’re sewing - stop and ask someone else for help!

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Just use a water-proof ink (I’ve had really good results with Staz-On) and stamp your design directly onto your aida cloth. Use the same color ink as your embroidery floss to make sure you don’t have weird shadows underneath the stitches :-) You can even stamp words or letters, or just draw them on with a permanent pen.

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• Emergency Response Studio
  Artist Paul Villinski is transforming an old trailer into a sustainable working space for displaced or visiting artists.
• Layers Upon Layers
  Get in on a giveaway! Cyndi has copies of “Altered You!” to pass out to some lucky winners!
• Matchbook Favors are Hot, Hot, Hot!
  Eileen recently started making mint matchbook favors and has discovered these things are hot! Everybody wants them. Here she shares a list of other uses and things to include. Some ideas are hers and some have come from clever customers. Can you add any to the list?
• The completed covered notebook tutorial
  The fabric covered notebook is completely done and Chloe has posted a link round-up of the entire process.
• Tottie Tomato is back
  Tottie Tomato is a delightful doll and sweet character that Noreen Crone-Findlay created. And now, she introduces a new look for Tottie Tomato.
• Victory Gardens & Victory GardenQuilts
  At Quilting and Patchwork, Mary Emma reminisces about the victory gardens of her childhood and connects them to Eleanor Burns’ victory garden quilts.

image: Stock.xchg

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I was tickled pink to see that Whip Up (one of my favorite craft blogs) has posted a tutorial on creating a soft fabric doll house.   There’s even a barn pattern as well!

I’m sure a special little girl in your life would love to get one of these for Christmas…  Or just make one for yourself and call it a purse :-)

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I thought it might be easier to give you all the links for the fabric covered notebook all in one post - it should save a little bit of searching :-)

So, from plain notebook to decorative fabric journal, here you go:

• You need your supplies to start the project.
• The batting & fabric get glued together.
• The edges of the cover get glued down and finished.
• Scissors make the spine a little neater and the tops of the cover are finished.
• It’s the spine’s turn to get glued down.
• A little fabric-folding is needed to make sure the corners are neat.
• Last, but not least - the finishing steps!

image: © C Findlay-Harder

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