Mandala CCXXIX

(Above:  Mandala CCXXIX. Custom framed:  15 3/4" x 15 3/4".  Found objects hand-stitched to a single block of an antique quilt.  Objects include:  An antique pocket watch on a pewter souvenir from Thailand attached to a small, porcelain dish; souvenir spoons; blue and pink "Barbie" telephones; vintage cardboard lids for glass bottles that advertise eggs, orange juice, and milk; four fabric yoyos; copper U-clamps; assorted buttons and beads. Click on any image to enlarge.)

Every day now seems to be one during which I'm deep into creating work for the upcoming Smithsonian Craft Show, but the work I'm making requires free-motion stitching or fusing material with my iron.  These things are not the sort of artwork that I can easily do in the evenings while watching television with Steve.  Handwork is needed.  Therefore, I'm still enjoying my Found Object Mandala series. 

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCXXIX.)

This piece has a unique story or two.  First, the quilt really wasn't a "quilt".  It was just a gorgeous, hand-stitched block.  It was so pretty that I didn't mind quilting it to a piece of batting and an old, damask napkin.  I wondered if there were other blocks or whether this was all that ever got stitched.  It doesn't matter.  It got quilted ... by me!

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCXXIX.)

The more sentimental story, however, is about the centerpiece.  The pocket watch was donated to my stash by a lovely lady I've known for more than two decades.  Our sons went to the same ballet school together.  Her son is now living in Australia.  Recently, she lost her husband of over fifty-years and decided to move to Australia to be near her son and his family. It is wonderful that she will have lots of time with her two grandchildren but also a bit sad that she can't just take everything she now has with her.  Many things, including the pocket watch, found homes in my stash.  I am honored to have such significant items for my mandalas. 

(Above:  Mandala CCXXIX as seen at an angle.) 

The watch didn't work ... so I didn't feel badly drilling four holes in the back of the case.  Otherwise, it is stitched in place ... through holes in the pewter souvenir ... and holes along the rim of the porcelain dish.  There really is a bit of engineering to these mandalas ... and there will be more things from my stash that just didn't get to travel of Australia.

Windows for the upcoming Smithsonian Craft Show

(Above:  Window CCXX.  Custom framed:  19 1/4" x 17 1/4".  Layers of fused polyester stretch velvet on recycled black industrial felt.  Free-motion machine stitched and subjected to various melting techniques.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

Reviewing the available work for the upcoming Smithsonian Craft Show revealed that I only had three Window Series pieces.  Both Steve and I thought this was inadequate.  Three more had to be made.  I spent hours creating them while Steve built frames.  We are really pleased how they turned out.

 

(Above:  Window CCXXI.  Custom framed:  19 1/4" x 17 1/4".  Layers of fused polyester stretch velvet on recycled black industrial felt.  Free-motion machine stitched and subjected to various melting techniques.)

 Steve and I have also been thinking about how we will load the cargo van.  It is an important factor, especially when considering the way large artwork has to be layered on top of the ProPanel booth walls.  We knew we had a problem.  What problem?  Well ... a Large Stained Glass Window is soon to be returning after being on display in Tallinn, Estonia through the Arts in Embassies program.  I have no other Large Stained Glass Window but need two to lay side-by-side during the trip to DC.  

 

(Above: Window CCXXII.  Custom framed:  19 1/4" x 17 1/4".  Layers of fused polyester stretch velvet on recycled black industrial felt.  Free-motion machine stitched and subjected to various melting techniques.)

 We had a decision to make: Don't take the one or make another!  It was an easy choice.  I'm deep into the construction of another Large Stained Glass Window.  Thank goodness these small Windows came together rather quickly.  Having the time makes retirement joyous!

Lost & Found XV

(Above:  Lost & Found XV. Custom framed: 11" x 18 1/4". Found objects hand-stitched to a scrap of an antique coverlet.  Objects include:  A wooden fan; two brass iced-tea spoons; washers; casino chips; touchless door openers; plastic lids; small, crown-shaped game pieces; screws from a dismantled piano; four filigree corner elements; assorted buttons and beads. Click on image to enlarge.)

When I cut the antique coverlet, I had a few scraps leftover.  One was just too large to throw away but it was also not a shape that lent itself to my Found Object Mandala Series.  Finally, I found the wooden fan at the Pickens County flea market and the work came together quickly!  I'm really pleased how it turned out.
 

Relics

(Above:  Not a great photo but ... one of the last four Relics stitched and beaded before the Smithsonian Craft Show.  Average size 10" x 7" ... matted to a standard 20" x 16".)

This April Fools Day was stunning ... not because of any prank or joke or even the current political season.  It was stunning because the month really crept up on me almost in an unexpected way.  Since the start of 2025, April seemed "off in the distance".  I knew that April was going to be a busy month but it didn't dawn on me that it was here until it actually happened!  In just a few short weeks, Steve and I will have gone to Florida and back (for the public reception of Spaces Between at Florida CraftArt where my Cemetery Flags won FIRST PLACE) and then headed to Washington, DC for the Smithsonian Craft Show.

All of a sudden, I had to prioritize my month!  What needs to be done before this big show?  How am I going to display my matted artwork in my booth (Booth 400)?  I have rolling print stands but they are bulky if not disassembled.  Yet they are difficult to take apart and put back together again.  The solution has been a print bin from ProPanel.  My booth is a ProPanel booth.  Wouldn't you know it! They make one that easily attaches to their portable walls.  

Then ... I had to look at the artwork I've already made, count the number of pieces, and carefully decide what else I might want to make before we set off for the show.  I determined that I need three more Window Series pieces and one Large Stained Glass piece.  That's enough work that I had to admit to myself:  NO MORE RELICS!

I adore making these pieces.  They have a little bit of everything I love best ... scraps of exotic fabric on which to fuse polyester stretch velvet, a little free-motion machine stitching, lots of hand stitching, and beading!  But now it is April ... time to get to work making the few more things that will go to the Smithsonian Craft Show!