Skirt

Skirt, a photo by megan_n_smith_99 on Flickr.

I have been learning more sewing. This skirt pattern is called "The Cute Skirt" from the company "Favorite Things". It has 8 gores and I cut each from a different batik. I also managed to make it all from Fabric in my stash! I am working on another one now. This pattern has elastic in the back only. I'm going to learn to make a shirt with a zipper soon!

Sunbursts

Sunbursts, a photo by megan_n_smith_99 on Flickr.

Sunbursts
5 x 7 inches
watercolor on paper

You probably already know this, but I use Daniel Smith watercolors, and my favorite paper at the moment is Arches Aquarelle Watercolor Paper, 300lb. It's cold press. I've been buying it in blocks, 12 in x 16 in, 10 Sheets in a Block. I also like Arches Aquarelle Watercolor Paper, 140lb, Cold Press. The 300lb weight really seems to soak up pigment like velvet and since I don't stretch my paper it works well for me.

A lot of people ask me how I get so much detail. Well, I use small round brushes - lately size 1 and 3. I work in good light as much as I can -- Seattle is not known for the quality of light come through its windows! And I do not use very much water.

This little painting is on Etsy.

Scenes from a walk in Ballard

Scenes from a walk in Ballard, a photo by megan_n_smith_99 on Flickr.

Today I took a long walk around Ballard. I was tired but my brain was whirling too fast and sometimes it's best to get out and see the world instead of the inside of your own mind. So I walked down Market and up to Sunset Hill, near where my mother grew up. I went Sunset Hill park, one of the best views in the area. After stopping for some water and to read a bit I went North to the massive stairway - 258 stairs - down to the beach. Last time I climbed up, today I went down. I rested a bit at the beach, people watching, and then came back to my house via the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. The locks opened in 1917 - my grandmother was present for the occasion.

I took a few photos on the way, mostly details of botanical life as inspiration for my drawings and paintings. I only had my iphone camera with me so I got what detail I could. I am not sure what these plants here are but they were grown in a rockery and the little green-grey critters look like succulents.

autumn purse

autumn purse, a photo by megan_n_smith_99 on Flickr.

In my previous post I mentioned my applique. This is a purse I made a few years ago. I used batiks and hand dyed wool felt. A few years ago I made a number of purses, dolls, journals, and pillows using this technique. I want to get back to it again, in particular I would like to make some more purses. I find hand work so meditative.

You can see more examples here on Flickr.

Zipper Pouch and a lecture on fabric

Zipper Pouch, a photo by megan_n_smith_99 on Flickr.

i made this in a class I took last night at The Quilting Loft in Seattle. It was taught by Pederson. She is a great teacher! I would recommend her - and her blog has some good tutorials and links and things - check it out!
sewkatiedid.wordpress.com/

The Quilting Loft opened in Ballard maybe a year ago? Maybe more, but it is relatively new. It's great to have in the neighborhood. I go to Jo-ann Fabric for notions but their fabric is not great. It doesn't have a very high thread count and won't hold up as long. If you are going to take the time to make something by hand I think it is important to use materials that will last a long time. People have asked me what my raw edge applique does not fall apart and the reason is I use good fabric - it really does ravel less!
thequiltingloft.com/

Now that I know how to do zippers I will make some more, maybe do some of my applique and beading and things on them.

Yesterday was a pretty good day, other than the part about getting completely drenched returning a library book. Apparently I forgot it was June in Seattle and that although it was sunny when I woke up an umbrella would be required later.

After I recovered my wits with a nap, my friend Janusz came over for a bit. Then I went to a sewing workshop at the Quilting Loft in Ballard, which I will talk more about in my next post!

This is my latest painting:
River of Dreams
8 x 10 inches
watercolor on paper
etsy.

Meet me at the Center of the Earth

Well, it's been a while since I went more than a few miles from my house. Today I ventured forth.

I went to the Seattle Art Museum to see the exhibition that is closing this week -- Nick Cave's Meet me at the Center of the Earth. Now, you may be confused because I am NOT talking about the musician Nick Cave. There is also an amazing visual artist named Nick Cave. I've been a fan for years but had never seen any of this work in person until now. It's amazing! It's hard to describe. He uses textiles, mostly repurposed textiles, to create the full body costumes, which are works of art on their own. But also they are interactive - they make sound when they move. And they are made of everything from vintage crocheted afghans, to pieces from vintage beaded gowns, repurposed sweaters, buttons, almost anything you can imagine.

I loved it! It was so fun! And there was a little girl there with her mother and she loved it too. It is such happy and fun art that I think anyone could find something to enjoy in it.

Here is a Flickr set which some more Nick Cave images. Also if you do a google image search for "Nick Cave Artist" you will find lots of amazing things!

After that I had lunch at the taste of SAM restaurant which a gift card I had and then went and fussed about with my IRAs. I wonder why the downtown branch of Fidelity is in the retail core? Between a sports bar and the Levi store. Well, it was easy to get to but still seemed a bit odd! Then on the way home there was a crazy lady with a pet rat and I really wanted to steal the rat because she was very much smoking something and I thought the rat deserved a loving drug-free home! What is it with people and their pets? I saw someone walking their cat on the beach a couple weeks ago. The reason you have to keep your cat on a leash at the beach is because it is terrified of all the people, dogs, screaming seagulls, etc etc and wants to run and hide. It wold be easier on the cat if you left it at home to hide.

And then, to round out my adventures of the day I let a man who spoke almost no english wax my brows. And they actually turned out ok.