Sewing

Hi Everyone! Even though the weather is calling my name to come play outside, a bad cold got hold of me and took me down for days. Feeling better now to share a few napkins that I made, along with a few leaves that I painted, and a download. Hopefully you will be able to use this info to explore your own ideas.

When I visit Joann, I always take a quick look at their small remnant bin for fleece so I can make blankets for my kitties (more on that in the next post). I found a piece of 100% cotton fabric one time and picked it up for a new set of napkins.

I cut 12″ square pieces, then machine stitched all around, 0.5″ from the edges, with matching thread. After that, I stitched the two lines you can see in the picture with a contrasting thread. The first line is 2.5″ and the second one is 3.5″ from the edge. I stitched over each line one more time to make them darker, but not fastidiously. I think the offset stitching gives them a lovely vintage feel.

Then I had a little too much fun pulling threads on each side until I reached the stitched lines around the border.

That’s it! Super easy! I very much like the red and blue threads I used against the cream background. The colors of this set make me think of cozy autumn days.

Autumn Leaves

Free Download Autumn Leaves

If you are looking for a quick project, you can download this set of leaves for free from my shop. I had originally made them for an embroidery project. (The shop does ask for your info as you are placing an order, but please rest assured it is safe and free.)

These are line arts of generous size. You can resize them to your need and use them for so many projects – scrapbooks, greeting cards, applique, and embroidery, or just color them for fun.

This is my painted version in my handmade forest green nature journal.

Playing With Paint

The Dragon And The Tree

As you know from the last post, I like to do a little bit prep work before working on the final painting.

I am working on a new painting for a book cover, so I started trying out different paper and paint for the right look and effect. In other words, playing with paint and paper.

Marker, watercolor, acrylic ink, watercolor ink, I used them all for these leaves to see which I liked best. My only objective was to see the effect of each kind of paint on that paper.

I was going to throw out this first set, but then I thought that if I cut them out, I can use them in my journal. My husband loves these bits and pieces for his journal too. I cut around the shape with a pair of scissors, used a micron pen to add an outline and veins, and they were ready.

Floating Leaves

After that I tested the aforementioned paints on a set of larger leaves. I didn’t worry too much about painting within the lines on this one either. Then before tossing it out, inspired by Japanese and Chinese brush paintings, I started painting brush strokes with no purpose in mind. I used blue mostly because it provided a good contrast against the orange. I got carried away, and the strokes started to resemble water. I ended up keeping it.

My husband got me the two pumpkins when I was sick. Two, because one needs a friend.

All of these finishes started as an attempt to learn or experiment with new ideas. I specially love this time of year because even though the colors are limited, they call me out to explore both indoors and outdoors.

I am feeling a lot better now and I can’t wait to be outside a lot more, collecting ideas. So I will see you in December!

Until next time,
-Soma

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Simple 365 – Set 11

Here is another set of Simple365 photos. For those of you who are new here – A few years ago, I took one b&w photo per day of simple little things around me for a year. I have been sharing those photos here every now and then. These were taken during July and August of that year.

Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos and read the captions.

I created a page with all the previously shared photos from Simple365. I continue to add photos to that page as I share them here. That way I can relive the journey through the year via black and white photos, like in an old photo album.

Since I share mostly artwork and photos on this website, one thing you probably don’t know about me is that there was a time when I wrote software for most of my waking hours. I loved it and I still do.

This is the month when I worked on the computer almost non-stop while drinking countless mugs of coffee and poring over code and art photos. Tech and art side by side. My shop went live that month. Since then, I have added my handmade journals to the shop and sold quite a few, which has been a dream come true.

Paint Making

This is only a very small subset of pigments I made last year from things found in the garden. I am planning on turning them into paint this year. I need to get a respirator first since I don’t want any of this powder to get into my lungs. I can’t wait to share more with you.

Quilt Making

I design paper piecing quilt patterns from the ground up, not using quilting software, but a vector drawing program. I don’t have a design wall, so I create the layout using a software/app as well.

I have finished making all the blocks for this quilt. Now with the finished layout, I can start cutting the rest of the fabric for sewing.

Notebooks and Journals

My husband is studying for his pilot license, and he loves using paper for his notes. So, I made this notebook for him in the style of old leather books, but with new NAT / vegan leather. I saved the trim for him to use as a bookmark.

More books are in the making as I write this.

Photography

When I am out and about, my DSLR camera is my perpetual companion. A few years ago, I switched over to using non-zoom lenses, which are incidentally manual focus only. It’s a bit old fashioned compared to the modern age of auto-focus zoom lenses, but it suits my style of photography.

I find black and white photography to be highly expressive. As the color is stripped off the scene, it becomes all about light and shadow.

I wanted to try out my recently acquired new lenses. Tavish is the only cat who sits quietly enough for me to take his photos. I took two portrait-style photos of him. I couldn’t decide which one to share since they show two completely different sides of his personality – curious and quiet. So I am sharing both.

Although I miss being outside, looking through the Simple365 photos made me want to play with new ideas, plan for the next road trip, and spend extra time with the kitties. So that is exactly what I will be doing until autumn calls me out to play again.

I hope your summer is going well!