Eye Candy

Here is a painted and collaged DreamBox I created at Portland Art and Soul 2008. Don't you just love the red heart shaped pasties. I must have been dreamin' all right!

The absolutely fabulous and talented Helga Strauss, owner of ArtChix Studio, is teaching the class again at Art and Soul 2009. www.artchixstudio.com for more info on Helga and her schedule.

www.artandsoulretreat.com for info on other classes and events.

Laura

Wonder Wallet

Many designers are creating patterns using fat quarters, which are 18 by 22 inches instead of the traditional quarter yard piece of fabric. Lazy Girl Designs http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/ has a great collection of patterns using fat quarters. Pictured is the Wonder Wallet, which measures about 4 by 3 inches, has four pockets and is perfect for cards, coins and cash. The wallet is a snap to sew and makes a perfect gift.

I did not use velcro for closure as the wallet stays closed by itself. I embellished with a hemp crochet motif and vintage button. I also used a light weight fusible interface to add a little body to the top flap.

-L

Sew Expo

Last Saturday I went to Sew Expo with two girlfriends and had a blast shopping for new goodies. I picked up some felted wool, a couple patterns by Reet's Rags to Stitches and fabric by Kaffee Fassett. Check out Reet's website for creative felted wool patterns. Many of her designs come in kits and she also sells felted wool. www.reetsragstostitches.com Pictures to come as soon as I finish the projects.

Dayna

Dayna...

This one is for you! See you at ArtFest.

-L

"Big Easy"

True confessions...I'm addicted to New Orleans. I could not stand it any longer and booked a last minute trip this May to see Neil Young at Jazz Fest. Once again, I will be staying in the French Quarter soaking up the warm weather, eating delicious food and hunting for altered art items.

This is my fourth trip to the city. Residents are returning as the city slowly continues to rebuild. The French Quarter pretty much escaped damage, but the residents of the lower ninth ward did not fare so well. If I can find my file of the devastion, I will post photos.

Calling all altered art artists...you would be in antique heaven in the French Quarter. Door knobs, crystal chandelier parts, mirrors, window panes, urns, statues, chipped this and cracked that. And everything is old, dirty and distressed. An altered artist's dream come true!

Even though I work primarily with fabric and fiber, I always take a photos and pick up treasures. Besides antiques, the French Market on the Mississippi located next to Cafe du Monde offers lots of eye candy. Vendors sell blessed voodoo dolls, cajun spices and every knock off designer bag imaginable. My favorite is the flip flop man, who hawks the best thongs in the country for $10!

-L

New Orleans Graveyard

Because New Orleans is below sea level people are buried in vaults or tombs above ground. Culturally, generations of families are buried in the same vault on shelves.

Here is a picture of a family vault.

-L

New Orleans Graveyard

Another family tomb.

-L