Tidal Wave V, The Rubber Duckies

 

(Above:  Tidal Wave V, The Rubber Duckies. Custom framed: 37 1/4" x 37 1/4".  Assorted rubber duckies and buttons hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

While I was enjoying a month-long art residency in Montana, Steve continued to visit the Pickens County flea market ... every Wednesday morning.  One week, he scored big!  He bought a large tub of assorted rubber duckies.  According to the dealer who sold them, there were over three-hundred.  Looking at the duckies I have left, the dealer was correct!  There are about as many still in the tub as are stitched to this piece!

 

(Above:  Detail of Tidal Wave V.)

In order to create this piece, I prepared the surface.  By this, I mean that I cut a vintage quilt to the size needed for a large stretcher bar. The quilt section was stapled to this stretcher bar.  Next, I placed a piece of sheer off-white netting over the surface.  I do this in order to protect any fragile/worn/tattered areas.  Then, I stitched the button outline and added the star-shaped embroidery in the area where there would be no duckies.  The vintage quilt was tied, not densely quilted.  Thus, the star-shaped stitches went over the tie ends.  This helps integrate the sheer netting to the quilt.  You can't even see it in these photos!  In person, I can point it out but most people don't even see the netting!

(Above:  Detail of Tidal Wave V.)

Then, I tacked down the duckies using a bare minimum of hot glue.  It was the only way to cover "the wave" adequately and spread out the colors of the duckies.  Stitching through rubber is hard enough.  Stitching through hot glue is really, really hard ... so not much is used ... certainly not enough to seriously attach them, just tack them down "a little"!

 

(Above:  Detail of Tidal Wave V.)

It took several days to stitch all the duckies.  Some of them were easy to stitch.  Most required a part of pliers to get the long needle through the colorful creatures.  Several needles broke.  Some swearing was involved.  I used plenty of hand lotion every night to help revive my fingers.  Yet, it was really fun to do!  

(Above:  Tidal Wave V and me!)

Jim Henson's voice played in my mind constantly ... singing along with the Muppet Ernie who debuted the song Rubber Duckie on the Sesame Street episode of February 25, 1970.  Steve loves oldie countdowns on Sirius radio and knew that the song was a hit single ... number sixteen on the Billboards Hot 100.  As I finished the piece, Steve snapped a rough photo of it and printed it.  We numbered the duckies on the photo ... 151 rubber duckies!  That's a lot of duckies!

Mandala CCLXIII, Bullwinkle

(Above:  Mandala CCLXIII, (Nickname:  Bullwinkle).  Custom framed:  21 3/4" x 21 3/4".  Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt. Objects include:  A Bullwinkle plate; bottle caps; rubber duckies; suspender attachments; white poker chips; letters from a board game; rabies pet tags; green flags/fan blades from a set of Tinkertoys; four, shiny gold, disposable "Smokey the Bear" ash trays; assorted buttons and beads.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

This mandala is the result of several stories!  First ... I almost didn't buy the Bullwinkle plate when I saw it ... months ago ... at the Pickens County flea market.  Truly, it seemed "too big" for a centerpiece but how could I resist?  I don't actually remember watching Bullwinkle cartoons but I also can't remember a time in my life when I didn't know the characters!  So, reluctantly, I bought it for a whole dollar! LOL! 

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLXIII.)

Finally, I figured out a way to make the Bullwinkle plate visually look "smaller".  It took hours to line-up and drill holes and finally stitch the beer caps to the rim.  They moved during the stitching.  They weren't tight against the plate until a series of pulled knots tightened the attachments.  Swearing was involved but it was worth it!  The gold beads were how the plate was then stitched to the quilt.  For something that looks so simple, this was complicated!

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLXIII.)

A more recent purchase from the Pickens County flea market was the four Smokey the Bear disposable ash trays.  I do remember visiting Smokey the Bear at the Smithsonian National Zoo.  (He died in 1976) And, I remember the night when the last cigarette ad broadcast on television.  I wasn't allowed to stay up and watch it though!  (The last televised cigarette ad was for Virginia Slims and shown on the Johnny Carson Show on January 1, 1971 at 11:59 PM.)  Somehow or the other, I would never have imagined anything about Smokey the Bear and cigarettes being put together ... but someone must have!

 

Finally ... the rubber duckies!  While I was in Montana enjoying a month-long art residency, Steve continued to go to the Pickens County flea market.  One Wednesday, he bought a tub of assorted rubber duckies.  The dealer claimed that there were at least three hundred in the tub.  It took an entire afternoon to sort through them.  These eight had little surf boards and were the first to be incorporated.  I've been stitching rubber duckies ever since!

Mandala CCLXII, Strawberries and Snowflakes

(Above:  Mandala CCLXII, Strawberries and snowflakes.  Custom framed: 11 5/8" x 11 5/8".  Found objects hand-stitched to a block of a vintage quilt.  Objects include:  A very small Oriental dish; strawberry shaped emery pincushions; small bells; snowflakes from a broken string of Christmas lights; buckles; antique capacitors; assorted buttons and beads.)

Steve built this little "floater" styled frame for me from four scraps of moulding that would otherwise be thrown out.  It was small ... very small!  Therefore, it was a challenge to design something for this little enclosure.  Naturally, I thought about the tiny porcelain dish.  I've had it for months and months but it has been too small to use in the center of any other Found Object Mandala.  I told myself, "Susan, if you can drill a hole in this dish, it will be used on this little piece."  Well ... I was successful!  The hole was drilled and I found things to surround it!  Stitching this one didn't take long! LOL!

(Above:  Photo for scale!)

Mandala CCLXI, Small Indian Icon

(Above:  Mandala CCLXI, the small Indian icon.  Custom framed:  15 1/2" x 15 1/2".  Found objects hand stitched to a block of an antique quilt.  Objects include:  A small, leather patch featuring an Indian woman; a protractor; antique chocolate milk bottle cardboard lids; external tooth lock washers; brass screw eyes; pieces of jewelry; gold shank buttons mounted on grommets; assorted buttons and beads.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

This piece started with two frames left outside the custom picture framing shop where our orders of moulding and framing supplies are delivered (because our supplier doesn't want to add another stop to our weekly truck delivery service!) Thankfully, the couple who own The Framery in Liberty, South Carolina are really nice and allow us to pick up things at their shop!  They are so nice that they leave scraps of mat board, old boxes, and discarded frames outside their front door with a sign reading:  FREE!  The two frames were in terrible shape.  One was definitely broken but I could easily see that between the two, one unique frame could be cut and built.  Steve built it and added an interior frame (the gold lip shown in the image above.  Yes ... this is "double framed"!)

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLXI.)

I then went to work designing something for the frame ... something exotic because that outer frame seemed quite ornate.  This is what I came up with and I'm very please how it all came out!

(Above:  Mandala CCLXI at an angle.)

Tidal Wave IV, The White Puzzle Pieces

(Above:  Tidal Wave IV, The White Puzzle Pieces.  Custom framed: 35" x 35".  White puzzle pieces hand stitched with buttons and beads to a section of a vintage quilt covered with doilies. Click on any image to enlarge.)

Recently my stash was enlarged by a nice contribution of old, neglected, and damaged quilts.  One was in absolutely dreadful shape.  (Think ripped, torn, and tattered.)  Honestly, I didn't think it had a "second life" ahead of it.  I assumed that I would keep it for a month or two and then sadly consign it to my trash can.  Of course, that's not what happened.  It was the first of the four donated quilts to find a new life.

 

(Above:  Detail of Tidal Wave IV.)

I'm not even sure why or how I came up with the idea to cover part of the quilt with tatted and crocheted doilies.  The notion simply "appeared" in my head.  Within a few moments, I had a plan for the background and doilies laying in place.  I knew that a vast majority of the old quilt would be covered by the tidal wave ... but what objects would work with this more feminine looking design?

 

(Above:  Detail of Tidal Wave IV.)

I'd almost forgotten the puzzle pieces that were donated to my stash months ago.  The puzzle featured some holographic picture.  (I never put the thing together!)  Yet, the backside was pure white.  A few pieces were auditioned on the quilt.  Perfect.  Two holes were drilled in every puzzle piece.  Then the stitching began.  Between the puzzle pieces, I added assorted silver beads and lots of French knots.

 

(Above:  Tidal Wave IV from an angle.)

I'm really pleased with this piece and send my thanks to everyone who has ever donated to my stash!  If I don't use something immediately, please know ... its probably just waiting for the right design!

The Raven, an art quilt

 

(Above:  The Raven, an art quilt.  19 1/2" x 20".  Naturally dyed fabric on which is appliqued a photo printed on fabric of a raven.  Click on either image to enlarge.)

On the way to Montana, Steve and I visited the northern section of Yellowstone National Park.  At one of the scenic overlooks, this raven sat on a post and allowed me to get very, very close.  I'm pretty sure the birds are used to tourists who feed them.  I didn't feed this bird.  Truly, it's not something one ought to do when encountering wildlife.  Yet, there is something magical about ravens and crows ... at least it seems that way to me.  Every time I've been close to a raven or crow, I feel a spiritual connection to a deceased friend who painted them and thought of them as his "spirit animal".  I looked at this bird and smiled.  Then I snapped its picture.  Even then, I thought of the little raven art quilt I once created using another picture, one from Bryce Canyon National Park. (Click HERE to see that raven art quilt.)  I really had no intention of stitching another art quilt ... until I unrolled the bandanna-sized piece of fabric from the natural dyeing workshop I took two weeks later.  Upon seeing it, I could easily imagine the raven image appliqued on top.  After returning home, I sized the picture appropriately and ordered it from Spoonflower.  The result was perfectly what I envisioned.

 

(Above:  The reverse of The Raven.)

For the reverse, I used an embroidered, vintage bedspread that was donated to my stash.  I'm very pleased with this piece. 

Mandala CCLX, The Little Icon

(Above:  Mandala CCLX, The Little Icon.  Custom framed:  13" x 13".  Found objects hand-stitched to a block of an antique quilt.  Objects include:  A small, souvenir icon; Kindness coins; brass letter stencils; miniature keys; ROTC stripes pins; brass screw eyes; decorative pieces of brass for DIY projects or jewelry; assorted buttons and beads.  Click on either image to enlarge.)

Sometimes it's a unique centerpiece that inspires a Found Object Mandala.  Sometimes, it's a collection of multiple objects that will create a great ring.  Sometimes, it's the quilt that initiates a design.  This time, it was the frame.  The moulding used was the scrap leftover after framing two recently, hand-stitched In Box Series pieces that were done on white felt.  Four short pieces remained.  I told Steve to cut me the largest possible square from these four pieces.  This was it.  My job became a way to fill the frame ... one with a flat, shiny silver front and white sides. 

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLX at an angle.)

Serendipity played its part.  I'd forgotten the cheap, little icon until rummaging through my stash.  From there, the rest of the parts fell into place.  It took no longer than a single night to stitch the work.  Of course, it took nearly as long to mount it, put it in the frame, photograph it, enter it into my inventory book, and now blog it ... but I loved every moment.  I've very pleased that the challenge was met!

Mandala CCLIX, The Montana Mandala

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLIX, The Montana Mandala.  Custom framed:  21 1/4" x 21 1/4".  Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.  Objects include:  A ViewMaster reel; an aluminum faucet handle; eight Grizzly chewing tobacco lids; black, wooden profiles of bears; four bear paw print coasters; blue and green plastic lids; off white backgammon pieces; assorted buttons and beads.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

 Last year I applied for an Open AIR art residency in western Montana and was lucky enough to get a month ... this past October ... in Hamilton, Montana.  I applied with images from my Found Object Mandala Series despite knowing that it would be impossible for me to continue the series while there.  After all, my stash is enormous.  There was no way to transport it all to Montana but that didn't mean I wasn't on the look out for other unique items to add to it!

(Above: Detail of Mandala CCLIX.)

I visited several thrift shops during my month in Montana.  I found all sorts of things though I had no idea how I would put them together once I returned home.  I relied on luck to assist me.  It worked!

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLIX at an angle.)

With any luck, this Found Object Mandala will get to return to Montana for the upcoming 2025 Alumni Group exhibition being arranged by Open AIR!  That show is scheduled from February 6 - 28, 2026 at Bob's Your Uncle Gallery in Missoula with an opening reception on Friday, February 6th from 6 - 9 P.  Although the opening is on Steve's birthday, we cannot travel that far for an opening!  Yet, I do hope to return to Montana myself.  There are several other exciting opportunities for a return art residency with Open AIR.  I might apply!

Mandala CCLVIII, Harley-Davidson Orange Reflectors

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLVIII, Harley-Davidson Orange Reflectors. Custom framed:  20" x 20".  Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt. Objects include:  A child's yellow 45 record; a red plastic lid; a blue faucet handle; bottle caps; red drink swizzlers; green and blue plastic lids; wooden clothespins; dominoes; shower curtain hooks; red telephone plugs; laminated Tampa Nugget cigar bands; foreign coins; pink can pull tabs; Starbucks coffee stirrers/beverage plugs; decorative blue spirals; orange Harley-Davidson reflectors under which are cardboard Coke souvenir discs; assorted buttons and beads.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

I've had the orange Harley-Davidson reflectors for a long while.  They were "auditioned" several times but never made the cut.  They never seemed to work while designing earlier mandalas.  They were either "too big" or "too orange" or just didn't balance with the center and/or other objects.  Often, I wished I had eight instead of only four.  I might have been able to use them on a larger mandala ... if I had more. 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLVIII.) 

There's something about size and color and the number of objects that need to be "right" in order to assemble a nice mandala.  The objects need to "play well together".  The quilt also lends a certain, almost unnameable influence over the objects.  Finally, this small mandala was ideal for the reflectors!

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLVIII at an angle.)

Most of my Found Object Mandalas are framed in "floater" styled moulding.  This is a framing solution that doesn't have the lip of the frame coming over the top of the piece.  This one, however, isn't in a floater.  It's framed using a traditional moulding ... but one with a very reflective inner gold lip that acts almost like a mirror.  In the image above, the reflection of the laminated Tampa Nugget cigar band and the two, pink can pull tabs can be seen on the inner lip of the frame!  Cool!

Mandala CCLVII, Clock Face and PEZ Dispensers

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLVII, Clock Face and PEZ Dispensers.  Custom framed:  21 1/4" x 21 1/4".  Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.  Objects include:  A plastic clock face; PEZ dispensers; an orange faucet handle; coffee K-pods; dairy pull tabs; ViewMaster reels; stainless steel, locking hemeostatic pliers; red plastic lids; blue Tiddlywinks; assorted buttons and beads. Click on any image to enlarge.)

Steve looked at my as if I'd lost my mind when I agreed to purchase the cheap clock at the flea market.  He said, "You know it probably won't work."  I knew ... especially after I dismantled it.  I only wanted the face, not the battery operated device.  

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLVII.)

I also knew that I had at least twelve PEZ dispensers to encircle the clock face.  This piece came together quickly ... but also ... not so quickly.  I thought I'd finished it once.  Then, I stood back.  Something was missing.  I added the dairy pull tabs and blue buttons.

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLVII at an angle.)

I thought it was finished ... again.  Then, I stood back.  Something was missing.  I then added the stainless steel, locking hemostatic pliers and the white/gold shank buttons.  Voila!  Done!  Sometimes these mandalas need a long view, a bit more time than the initial excitement affords, and a perspective of several feet away!

Mandala CCLVI, Pellegrino Caps

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLVI, Pellegrino Caps. Custom framed:  22 3/4" x 22 3/4".  Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.  Objects include: A decorative plate on which is stitched a red and a yellow plastic lid; copper-colored can pull tabs; green drink swizzlers; four plastic prisms; dominoes; large washers; bicycle wrenches; corn cob holders; computer parts; bingo numbers; red plastic lids; assorted buttons and beads.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

The first time I used corn cob holders, it was challenging.  I had to figure out how to deal with the prongs because they "stick out" when the holder is laying flat.  Now that I know that bingo numbers solve the problem, I love using them!  Two drilled holes in the bingo numbers and the prongs are easily stitched into a non-threatening place!

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLVI.)

It took a while for me to collect enough bicycle wrenches that were similar in size.  Like cookie cutters and hole punches, these are things I collect until I have enough to use!  Their are other objects like that!  The Pellegrino caps, however, are among my favorite.  Like Heineken beer, there's a star on the cap!  I like that!

(Above:  Mandala CCLVI at an angle.)

There's quite a job looking for found objects but it's a job quite suited for me!
 

Mandala CCLV, Sevens in the Corners

(Above:  Mandala CCLV, Sevens in the Corners. Custom framed: 27 1/2" x 27 1/2".  Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.  Objects include:  A decorative shipping helm; ViewMaster reels; bubble-headed PEZ dispensers; felt piano hammers; Mardi Gras doubloons; drink swizzlers; insulin fingerstick lancets; copper colored can pull tabs; assorted bottle caps; slides; pet rabies tags; pink hair curlers; expired medical devices in clear/blue and clear/green plastic containers; dairy pull tabs; red telephone plugs; red checkers and green sequins; assorted buttons and beads.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

This is another Found Object Mandala that was stitched before my art residency in Montana but not mounted/framed/photographed/blogged until after I returned.  It was a fun piece to stitch and I'm in debt to Gail Patterson at Spiralis Gallery in Easton, Maryland.  Not only does she represent my work but she donated the PEZ dispensers to my stash!  

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLV.)

Lots of nice people have donated to my stash.  That's how I ended up with the insulin fingerstick lancets and the expired medical devices but also the sizzlers and many of the bottle caps.  My stash is now quite large but I'm always looking to add to it!

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLV at an angle.)

 

I hope that Spiralis Gallery needs additional artwork in the near future.  I'd love to return the PEZ dispensers to Maryland!

 

Mandala CCLIV, The Doll Plates

(Above:  Mandala CCLIV, The Doll Plates. Custom framed: 29 3/4" x 29 3/4".  Found objects hand-stitched to quilted background made from donated, antique blocks.  Objects include:  A set of vintage doll plates; a votive candle base supported by purple, toddler snack tops; antique poker chips; red-handled children's scissors; blue poker chips; vintage slides; purple Mardi Gras doubloons; wire connector caps; pruning snips; Monopoly hotels; copper U-clamps; plastic bottle caps; bright pink can pull tabs; purple figures on horseback; blue lids with dark pink, fabric yoyos; assorted buttons and beads.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

I finished stitching this mandala long before I went to Montana for a month-long art residency but never got around to mounting/framing/photographing/blogging it.  There's plenty to do after the last object is stitched in place! 

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLIV.)

There were a couple other mandalas that were likewise stitched but not otherwise progressed.  I had lots of work to do when I returned.  Some of it dealt with the artwork created while away; much of it dealt with the waiting mandalas.

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLIV.)

Most (if not all) of my Found Object Mandalas have a story or two behind the quilt and/or objects used.  This one has a couple!  First, the antique quilt blocks were donated to my stash.  I created two squares from the very damaged blocks.  One square was transformed into Mandala CCXLV.  This is the other square.  Like the earlier mandala, I positioned the square onto batting and a backing fabric and then quilted it.  Unlike traditional quilts, I do not aim for tiny stitches.  Instead, I use perle cotton to make the stitching more obvious!  It can easily be seen in the image above.  I stitched with both navy blue and lavender thread.

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLIV at an angle.)

One of the stories regarding the objects is about the votive candle holder in the center.  I've had it for at least a year. I auditioned it dozens of times for a centerpiece. It never seemed to work because the edges are so far off the quilt.  I almost threw the thing out!  Then, I remembered the toddler snack tops! They were used to fill that space.  Another story is about the doll plates.  Steve and I visited an antique mall and were disappointed in the selections.  Almost everything was too highly priced for me to purchase.  Right before leaving, I spotted the plastic doll plates in a locked cabinet.  I assumed (especially since they were in this guarded enclosure!) that they were expensive.  Steve asked for the key.  Twelve dollars!  That's the right price range!  It never hurts to ask!

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLIV hanging on one of my ProPanel walls for its photo-op!)

The other thing about this mandala is its name.  Since the beginning of this series, Steve and I have referred to the mandalas using a nick name.  We have to!  Though we both know our Roman numerals, it's impossible to remember one number from the next.  Now ... with over two-hundred and fifty ... I am going to include the nickname with these blog posts.  I'm even using it on the photo folders!