Wedding Dress, Still in Phase 1...

So, or should I say "sew", because that is what I have to do.  The pieces have all been cut out for the fitting dress, and now I am in the process of sewing it all together. I'm using a long stitch with a contrasting thread so my poor, nearsighted eyes can see it easily during this phase.

    This is going to be a lovely, delicate, flowing design... and I just found out the future blushing bride skated in her first women's roller derby! Oh the paradoxes (paradoxi?) of life. At least she was wearing pretty black lace tights along with her knee pads and helmet.

     Poetically yours, Pamela

Pouch #2!

On a roll now!  Finished this little nature scene pouch with a bit of applique, embroidery, and the perfect little flower and leaf beads for the strap. I utilized t-shirt fabric for the braided strap, the good corner of a decorative bed sheet for the image, and an upcycled zipper. It was a nice effect to go outside the "frame" of the image and overlap with the appliqued flowers and cattails. Now that I have worked through the challenges of the basic structure of the pouch design, the whole process has become much easier, and more fun!
    The next design will have a different look... stay tuned.   And for goodness sake, in the spirit of not throwing the "baby out with the bath water", do NOT throw the zipper out with the worn out pants! Get out your scissors and save that perfectly good piece of modern apparel technology for some new and wonderful use!
     Poetically yours, Pamela

Wedding Dress - The first phase...

Gathering the Materials

Here's the picture of the Dream Dress, a pattern with the correct "bones", and my notes.

First step: layout and cut the pattern out of some spare fabric to make the fitting dress. I'm using an old sheet for this.

What can you use an old sheet for?

Poetically yours, Pamela

Art Pouches - Here is the first.

Hi Friends, I have been making a batch of Art Pouches: Cute little decorative pouches to carry the essentials. They're one of a kind, and each has a different theme. This is the first one finished of this batch. I am using about 90% upcycled materials, which is very exciting to me. I am finally using some items from my extensive stash of found and salvaged goodies. That feels great! There will be more to come.

Also coming up, I will be making a Wedding Dress soon, and will post all the steps along the way to the happy completion of this lovely medieval style dress. So... if you've ever wondered what goes into creating/sewing a cusomized garment, stay tuned.

Until next time... take a look at that special piece of fabric you're saving and just think, What Can It Become?

Poetically yours, Pamela

Ceramic Bowl Success

Hooray, success! The bowl turned out well, and I love the creamsicle/sorbet look of the colors. This project was a lot of fun and I am so happy that the idea worked. Since my last post - which I realize was ages ago - I did another very adorable ceramic project which I will write about next time. Talk to you then.

Ceramic Bowl

I made a ceramic bowl at work as part of testing a new workshop which my boss is now offering to our customers. We employees have fun being her test class to help her work out the bugs. This bowl was rolled from a slice of clay, draped over a plastic oval bowl and then embedded with designs with clear stamps. There are birds, butterflies, flowers, etc. and the words, "There is beauty all around." It was fired to bisque, and then I painted the underglazes. I used white for the outside of the bowl and various sherbert-like colors in the indentions of the stamp designs. Next I loosely sponged white over the inside of the bowl, keeping it very light near the designs. This view of the bowl was before I finished the glazes. After it is fired, I will post a finished photo.

My vision was to create a look similar to the color of an orange creamsicle... they were my summer favorite when I was a child, and I love the clean bright look of the colors. That's my vision anyway. But as anyone knows who has had experience with a kiln, what you envision is not always what you get. It's OK, however it turns out. I always learn something.

I'm very satisfied that I finished this bowl, which has been patiently waiting for me for a few months now... as are many half-finished projects. Well, this is what this blog is all about for me... motivation, inspiration, documentation, exploration of all those wonderful ideas that just keep coming... and utilization of the many, and I mean MANY, various and sundry supplies and what-nots I have collected that are calling to me for a new life.

Until next time... let it flow!

Separation of Computer Area and Art Area

Today, as I do quite often, I got the idea to change things around in the studio. I made a separate little area for the computer so that my work/play art table is totally dedicated to art now. And I don't have to move the laptop every time I want to do a project. To help distinguish the computer space, I have started a wall hanging which will have my blog name on it," What it can become." I'll post a pic when I get it done. I think it will be inpiring to see, with my little inspirational saying on it. I'm using some upholstery fabric, painting over it, collaging onto it. I'm trusting that inner voice that tells me what it needs next. I'm staying loosey-goosey, as I like to say... the total opposite of my tendency to plan. I'm just letting it happen, encouraging that flow of creativity that I am after. We'll see how it turns out. Until the next time, Pamela