Purple Palette

Although the felted piece was created before seeing these beautiful cabbage bouquets at Pike Place Market in Seattle, it's remarkable to me how similar the colors are.

My mother whipped up this felted piece using bits of cotton batik, wool roving, velvet, silk, dyed ribbon and various fibers. She first machine needle-felted the fabric pieces onto a felt base, then machine stitched over all of the fabrics to permanently tack them down. Lastly, various fibers were added using decorative threads.

Quest for the Great Pumpkin...

Although a bit pale in comparison to its brightly colored, 281 pound competitor, this lighter beauty tops the supermarket scales at a whopping 594 pounds - and sports a 132 inch waistline! Pie, anyone?

Upcoming Artists' Flea Market

Our art group is having our first Mixed-Media Market soon; if you're in the Bremerton area on November 7, we'd love to see you! We'll be selling our own handmade items (mixed-media artwork & holiday gifts) as well as vintage treasures (embellishments & flea market finds). There will be refreshments and a free gift for the first 20 people through the door! Check out our Market blog for more info... we hope you can join us!

Mixed-Media Market
"The Artists' Flea Market"

Created by and for Mixed-Media Artists
and those that love pretty, vintage things

Saturday, November 7, 2009
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

at the Westgate Community Center
1550 Rocky Point Road
Bremerton, WA 98312

Free admission and parking
2.7 miles from the Bremerton Ferry Terminal

"Sea Maiden"

Once again, I've chosen Rossetti's lovely Fair Rosamund (1861) as the centerpiece for a mixed-media collage.

My initial inspiration was the aqua and brown "scales" print, which I purchased with the intent of creating a mermaid art doll. I soon realized that it would be difficult to realize my vision with this particular fabric, and gave up the idea of making a 3-D doll. I decided to re-interpret the mermaid theme and create a Sea Maiden mixed-media collage instead.

I'm still working out the details, but think she needs a grotto of some sort - perhaps as an archway overhead. There may be a wall below as well; I have a beautiful piece of Gothic pierced metal that I'm anxious to incorporate. The netting in the photo is actually a vintage hair net, and the shells on her crown are vintage lucite beads.

Bird Collages - Part II

These collages were a joy to work on - nothing like sweet bird images to brighten the day! The main layers and embellishments have been completed - now just the backings, bottom trims and bindings left to do.

"Violet"

Dante Gabriel Rossetti's painting, Fair Rosamund (1861), provides a beautiful focal point for a sampler collage using shades of lavender and purple.

I haven't decided whether or not to use all of the inspiration fabrics shown here; things have a way of evolving, and the initially chosen fabrics and embellishments often don't fit the final piece. So far, I've embellished her necklaces with seed beads and have given her a queenly crown. I'm off to search through the cabinets again... will keep you posted on her progress!

Bird Collages - Part 1

I found some wonderful vintage bird images on Etsy last week. Armed with these pretty birds, I began gathering items for a few fabric collages. My first rummage through the cabinets yielded these beginning palettes.

Wings of Fire

Sometimes, during an otherwise bleak afternoon, the loveliness of nature can bring hope and renewal to a parched soul. After hearing of the passing of one of our family friends, I went for a walk in the backyard. Hiding in the midst of a cluster of beautiful, fiery maple leaves were the most stunning seed pods I've ever seen.

I often find green maple pods on the ground earlier in the season, scattered like tiny fuzzy-headed Luna Moths congregating on the walkway, but never have I seen them in such brilliant red hues. Seeing these wings of fire brought peace to my soul. My hope is that during the midst of your own fire, you will find wings.

Trunk Show Sneak-Peek!

Here is a sample of what I will be offering at the Salvage Studio Art Party vendor night on Saturday, September 19th. Vendor night is free and open to everyone, whether or not you are an Art Party attendee!

We'd love to have you join us at the party and/or vendor night, which will be taking place at ArtWorks, 201 2nd Ave. S. Edmonds, WA 98020. For more information on the Art Party, visit The Salvage Studio's blog.

Gothic Arches Challenge - Little Boys

For this challenge, I began with a photo of my grandmother Virginia's Uncle Joe. I've always loved this photo of him as A Little Gardener, with his tiny wheelbarrow. I added the Hens & Chickens, arch and colorization with Photoshop Elements. I think he would be pleased that his wheelbarrow is no longer empty!

(For a copy of the original photo and more vintage images, click here. )